Trea Turner NL MVP odds: Should you bet on Phillies SS to win award after big World Baseball Classic?

The Philadelphia Phillies made an unlikely run to the World Series in 2022. They came up short against the Houston Astros. Philly didn't wait long to make a blockbuster signing in free agency as they brought in former Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner on an 11-year, $300 million deal. Turner can do it all at shortstop and is consistently in the MVP conversation.

Turner is heading into his ninth major league season. After spending six full seasons with the Washington Nationals, he was a trade deadline move to the Dodgers in 2021. Last season, he played in 160 games and hit .298 with 39 doubles, 21 home runs and 100 RBI. The biggest knock against Turner would just be that while his average, on-base percentage (.343), stolen bases (27) and RBI numbers look great, he lacks the power to hang with the MVP frontrunners.

Turner joined Team USA to play in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He was typically slotted into the bottom of an All-Star Game-esque lineup and flew under the radar. He hit .391 in six games of the tournament and led all players with five home runs and 11 RBI. Turner came alive against Venezuela in the quarterfinals. He only had one hit, but it was a grand slam in the top of the 8th inning to take the lead. Turner went 3-4 with two more home runs and four RBI in the semi-final game against Cuba. He then hit his fourth home run in three games with a deep fly in the second inning of the WBC Championship against Japan.

U-S-TREA! U-S-TREA!

He has done it again!! USA leads 1-0! pic.twitter.com/VRW8zq8Dba

– FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 21, 2023

  
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