Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson has sent a clear message to one of the team’s top stars, Trea Turner, emphasizing that the expectations for the upcoming 2025 season are higher than ever. Following a season that didn’t meet statistical expectations, Thomson didn’t shy away from addressing the situation directly. He made it apparent that every player, especially those with high profiles and salaries, must be fully engaged and performing consistently from Opening Day through the end of the season.
In a press briefing before the start of the season, Thomson was candid with reporters, including Anthony SanFilippo of On Pattison, as he discussed the mindset and performance goals he has established for Turner.
Rather than focusing on power numbers like home runs, Thomson emphasized the importance of consistency and getting on base. His goal is to see Turner become a dynamic presence at the top of the lineup—a player who sets the tone and contributes in multiple ways throughout the entire season. Thomson revealed that he had a one-on-one conversation with Turner before the season began. In that discussion, he laid out clear performance targets for the veteran shortstop. “I told him, ‘I don’t care about home runs,’” Thomson explained. “We have plenty of guys on this team who can hit the ball out of the park. That’s not what we need from you. What I want is for you to be on base. My goal for you is a .380 on-base percentage. I want you to steal bases—at least 40 of them. And I want you to score 100 runs. If you do that, then I’m not worried about anything else.”
This approach highlights the manager’s strategic view of Turner’s role in the team’s offensive framework. Rather than pushing for power statistics, Thomson is focused on maximizing Turner’s speed, versatility, and ability to ignite the offense. It’s a shift from traditional metrics and a return to emphasizing the fundamentals of what makes Turner a valuable asset: his ability to reach base, move into scoring position, and manufacture runs.
The 2024 season saw Turner struggle to maintain the high level of play he had demonstrated earlier in his career. Though still a contributor, his output didn’t match the expectations set by his lucrative contract and previous performances. That decline didn’t go unnoticed by the coaching staff, and Thomson’s comments reflect a desire to recalibrate Turner’s approach to better serve the team’s needs.
This isn’t about putting Turner on notice in a negative way—it’s about recognizing his unique skill set and encouraging him to focus on the elements of his game that can have the most impact. Turner has the speed and athleticism to be a major disruptor on the basepaths, and Thomson clearly wants to see that weapon used to its fullest potential.
By publicly setting these goals, Thomson also sends a message to the entire team: accountability and focus are expected across the board. Every player, regardless of status or salary, is responsible for contributing in the way that best supports team success. For Turner, that means being a consistent presence at the top of the lineup, getting on base, pressuring opposing defenses, and scoring runs. As the Phillies aim to make a deep postseason run in 2025, they’ll need all their key players performing at peak efficiency. For Trea Turner, that won’t necessarily mean leading the team in home runs—it’ll mean doing the little things right, game in and game out. And with clear direction from his manager, he now knows exactly what’s expected of him.
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