After another disappointing postseason, the Philadelphia Phillies are reevaluating their options at shortstop, a position anchored by Trea Turner. Turner, who is in the fifth year of an 11-year, $300 million contract, struggled significantly in the 2026 season, posting a batting average of .242 with a .675 OPS and committing a league-high 21 errors. Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies' president of baseball operations, has publicly stated that Turner’s defensive performance must improve for him to maintain the shortstop role in 2027, even suggesting a possible position change if Turner cannot return to a reliable defensive level.

This situation has prompted the Phillies to explore other possibilities to strengthen their infield, including a promising young international shortstop from South Korea, Kim Joo-won. Kim, a key player in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) and for South Korea’s national team, has attracted attention from several MLB teams. According to Korean reports, including coverage from OSEN, the Phillies are among at least four to five MLB clubs scouting Kim, who has steadily improved over five seasons but is not yet eligible to join MLB due to posting system rules requiring seven seasons.

Though Kim Joo-won isn’t an option to replace Turner in the immediate next season, his strong trajectory makes him a potential asset in Philadelphia’s longer-term plans as they navigate the uncertainty around their current shortstop situation. This pursuit also represents a rare move for the Phillies franchise, which traditionally has not focused extensively on Asian international talent, indicating a possible shift in their scouting approach to address depth and future needs.

Currently, Turner remains the incumbent shortstop, but his defensive struggles and Dombrowski’s warning put the Phillies at a crossroads. The team is set to reshape its roster and coaching staff with an eye on this key position, while keeping a close watch on Kim’s development overseas. Philadelphia’s ability to balance Turner’s contract and performance with emerging talent like Kim will be critical as they aim to break through postseason disappointments and build a competitive team for upcoming seasons.