NL Contender Has Meetings Scheduled With All 4 Premium FA Shortstops

Just in case you were wondering which team is really serious about signing one of the All-Star free agent shortstops... One organization has scheduled meetings with all four of them this weekend before the Winter Meetings begin. That would be the Philadelphia Phillies. 

According to Jayson Stark of The Athletic, who is reporting the news, "those sessions represent one more flashing neon sign that the Phillies are preparing to move quickly to sign a star shortstop, possibly even before the meetings end Wednesday."

The Phils have long been linked with Trea Turner, who, in turn, has expressed interest in the City of Brotherly Love. He'd be the perfect addition to a team with plenty of power, but not a lot of speed. In fact, it was only two days ago that the Phils were declared the favorite to land Turner, by MLB Insider Jon Morosi.

The #Phillies have emerged as favorites to sign Trea Turner. My latest report here. @MLBNetwork pic.twitter.com/PVjw5f6NhP

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 30, 2022

But the Phillies also have deep ties with Xander Bogaerts, as their current president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, held that same role with the Boston Red Sox and won a World Series together with Bogaerts in 2018. 

The other Scott Boras client they'll meet with this weekend, Carlos Correa, hasn't yet been linked to Philly that strongly, but things could change. 

Dansby Swanson seems to be on the 'outs' with Atlanta, if the latest reports are to be believed (and there's no indication from anyone that they shouldn't be), so his availability, and his much more reasonable price tag, could intrigue the Phillies into making a move as well.

Philadelphia fell just short of claiming their first World Series title since 2008 this year, and adding one more piece like one of these keystone players, could push them over the top. 

Photo: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports