Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski recently made an appearance on Philadelphia radio station WIP-FM, with Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer relaying some of his comments on Twitter.
One key storyline for the Phillies this year will revolve around Bryce Harper. The star outfielder was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in May of last year, which prevented him from throwing but allowed him to serve as the designated hitter. His continued presence in the lineup helped the club earn a Wild Card berth and eventually make it all the way to the World Series. After that, he did finally undergo Tommy John surgery in November, with the club announcing at that time they expected him to be out until the around the All-Star break.
Everything with that plan still seems to be in order, with Dombrowski saying that Harper’s rehab has gone well up to this point. Harper is expected to start swinging a bat around the end of March and could be back in the lineup around the time of the All-Star festivities, as initially projected.
One fallout of that Harper situation is that the Phils will have an open designated hitter slot for the first half but Harper will take it over once he’s able. The club could theoretically look outside the organization to find another bat to fill the void, but they apparently feel good enough about their internal candidates that Dombrowski doesn’t anticipate a “big acquisition”. He listed Alec Bohm, Rhys Hoskins and J.T. Realmuto as candidates to take over some time in that slot.
Bohm and Hoskins are set to man the corners in Philly just as they’ve done in previous seasons. However, neither is considered an especially strong defender. Bohm has logged 2,280 2/3 innings at third base in his career but has accumulated -36 Defensive Runs Saved, -11 Outs Above Average and a -2.8 score from Ultimate Zone Rating. Hoskins, meanwhile, has 4,195 innings at first base with -7 DRS, -12 OAA, though a positive 5.4 score from UZR. Backup infielders Kody Clemens, Edmundo Sosa and Dalton Guthrie could get some extra time in the field while Bohm and Hoskins get some DH at-bats. Clemens has played both corners and second base in the majors thus far while Sosa has played the three positions to the left of first base and Guthrie has played second and third. Realmuto is considered an excellent defender but catchers can’t crouch behind the plate every day. Since he’s also a great hitter, it makes sense to use the DH spot to get him into the lineup more frequently.
In the outfield, the everyday regulars figure to be Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber and Brandon Marsh. Neither Castellanos or Schwarber are considered great defenders on the grass, which would make them DH candidates as well. Even if that does end up coming to pass, Dombrowski feels good about the depth they have, mentioning Guthrie and Jake Cave. Given they feel good about their depth options, Dombrowski says they’re “basically set” while adding that further depth could always be added via a minor league deal.
Looking to the future, the Phillies have a great unknown in their rotation since Aaron Nola is now in the final year of his contract. “It’s something we’d like to do,” Dombrowski said about a Nola extension. “We want Aaron to be in the organization for a long time, no question. We love him. We love his abilities. I know he likes it in Philadelphia. So that’s something that will be in our mind… It’s never easy to be able to get done but we’d love to keep Aaron in the organization for a long time.”
Nola, 30 in June, is about to begin his ninth MLB season and so far has a 3.60 ERA through 1,288 1/3 innings. He’s struck out 27.5% of batters faced while walking 6.5% of them, and he’s kept the ball on the ground at a 47.9% clip. Since his 2015 debut, his 29.9 fWAR is the sixth-most of any pitcher in the league. It’s no surprise then that the club would like to keep him around, since he’s one of the few true aces in the league. Of course, that excellent work also means he won’t be cheap. Some recent free agent deals for excellent starting pitchers have gone well into nine-figure territory, with Jacob deGrom recently getting $185MM and Carlos Rodón $162MM. It doesn’t sound like anything is particularly close between Nola and the Phillies, but if they truly want him back for next year and beyond, it will surely require adding another hefty contract to their books.
That Nola extension was amazing! I also loved them getting MLB’s top SS and a former elite closer. It will be a fun team to watch. Negative comments in 321…
If you had to guess, who would you say the Phillies use as their 5th starter…
Wheeler, Nola, Suarez, Walker, ???
They have also done a solid job improving their pen as well adding Strahm, Soto, and Kimbrel…
Plus, they’ve done a good job signing some guys to MiL deals and playing the waiver wire. Usually, a team can find a gem or two through those type of acquisitions, so it is possible they’ll have found another cheap piece to add to their pen as well.
Kimbrel is not an improvement in the BP. Unless BP stands for batting practice.
He will be more comfortable back pitching in the NL East, and I wouldn’t doubt if we see Kimbrel have a solid season.
I can understand why you’d be skeptical, I’m just guessing, but I think he will do better than most project.
I won’t be rooting for him to fail, that would be cruel, but given how his performance and stats have gone the past few years, I don’t see how a simple move to the NL East will right the ship. 60IP last year with 25ER and 28BBs. There’s a reason he was called “Craig Krumble” amongst fans last season. Phillies diehards can create a hostile environment towards one of their own. Godspeed to him.
He was solid for the beginning of last year.
Likely Falter to start, but my guess is they hope one of Painter, Abel, or McGarry to eventually emerge
Just going of Bref, I’d say Falter. There may be some prospect like MxGarry to start. Oedhaos Painter or Mick Abel can be promoted since they are AA guys in MLB’s top 100. I don’t know much beyond that, though.
Just saw this… wth is Oedhaos? Autocorrect is absurd.
Father of Oedipus?
Fifth starter? Is it too soon to call up painter if he has a strong spring training? Falter is my other more ready bet for fifth starter. He was rocked in the playoffs but, he was solid in the regular season and guys like him and Gibson threw the innings in 2022 to help get them into the playoffs.
Falter should win the #5 out of spring training. Painter/Abel/ threw a little over 100ip and McGarry @90ip in ’22. The may want to dampen their innings for mid season promotions.
Phillies had McGarry finish the year in the bullpen, so that may be in the cards as well?
@cdp – I keep on thinking that a 6 man rotation makes a certain amount of sense, even though I don’t like them all that much. Would have to get buy-in from Wheeler and Nola as well.
But given that they are trying to work in a couple of young arms with innings limits, that Wheeler and Nola were stretched pretty far last year and they now have some depth I would not mind.
Early odds are on Painter, with Falter the next most likely. Painter is a flat out stud.
There are a few doubleheaders scheduled too…
It’s Falter’s job to lose.
Are you some guy from one of my Tao sports baseball teams? The name sounds familiar @Darkside
I think they use a 6-man rotation with Painter and Falter.
Perhaps I had not seen it before, but just saw my first official source yesterday that stated that a 6 man rotation would potentially be in the cards for the Phils this season (for at least a portion of the season)..
Just makes too much sense, given who they are trying to bring into the mix.
Really an X factor early on for PHI. Odds are he recovers in relatively quick time. Showed beyond any doubt what a gamer he is bringing A game while hurt last year
I’m not enthralled by the idea of Kody Clemens OR Jake Cave making the team out of ST, much less both. I understand the team isn’t interested in spending much more, but both players seen like they would be placeholders at best.
The bench is weak now especially in the OF, they need to make another move.
The bench is specially thin aside from Sosa.
Loved Vierling and Maton, but honestly, it won’t be hard to match that production. Marsh doesn’t need to platoon. He’s an everyday CF. Guthrie, Muzzioti and Sosa as our best bench options with one of Clemens or Cave being another option. I don’t see the bench as thin.
@vph Muzzioti and Cave hit lh.. and Rojas needs more aaa time. Guthrie, a shortstop by trade, just started playing OF in ’21. It would be nice to have another OF who hits RH…
I hope you are correct that Marsh can handle lhp…..
Yes. I would love a RH hitting OF, and it’s a shame we lost some great utility guys, but I think what we gained in bullpen depth makes it worse the risk. It’s easier to find that RH bat via trade or waiver wire. There’s still a few FAs who could help as well.
The only benefit to Clemons is as a inning eater pitcher in blowout games.
Cave is simply AAAA material – Clemens probably the same although I think that he will be on the 26 man until they have a better solution.
Watched Cave a few times in Trenton when he was there. Really athletic and a baseball guy…just could not see the bat becoming enough for the show. Our own Casey Martin is in a similar place. Watch him and you see a real ballplayer…smart; great fundamentals; terrific defense and athleticism, but the hit tool will probably not ever be there.
I’d like to see the Phillies develop Clemens as a bullpen arm, mostly the name and the pedigree, but you have to think that at some point there will be some more two way players arriving at the big league level with how well Ohtani has taken to it, why not a kid named Clemens.
From this Tigers fan to Dombrowski…thanks for the trade! Looking forward to Maton, Vierling and Sands contributions. I think you guys will miss them and Clemens isn’t going to be an adequate replacement. Still like the Phillies moves overall though. Schwarber rocks!
Clemens isn’t really meant to be their replacement. Sosa, Guthrie and Muzzioti are. Clemens is a depth option at best. Still, to your point, I think it was a good trade for both squads.
Dombrowski seems to like him and Clemens showed a little pop in the minors so that’s a plus…
Not sure what kind of fielder he is…?
Guthrie is intriguing. Never thought of him as much of a prospect…another truly late developer under DD. From what I have seen and heard, he will be fine in the field…even as a CF backup. Drafted as a SS, a small guy but very athletic, works his tail off, will handle defensive ute assignments well.
The bat was the surprise…really good in AAA last year, and looked good in limited action up here. Really like the swing, and if we don’t look for power he might be fine. Hard to count on him, but clearly they see something or I think that we would have seen another move for the RH OF / corner ute bat.
A right handed hitting backup OFer looks like a need.
I can’t see DD not going all out to resign him. If the youngsters can be ready soon that will help the payroll filling out the rotation.
Youngsters or not, having beyond 5 great SP options is the best problem a team can have. I’d assume each of Wheeler, Nola, Walker, Suarez, and Painter will be strong SP going forward, and if any of Falter, Abel, McGarry, Plassmeyer, etc do as well then you can trade one of these guys.
I am interested in what the Phillies fans on here think about a few things. For me, I would love to see them extend Nola, even though it will be more costly than I would like and will be entering far riskier territory than the original extension. Loved him in the draft, and from the outset of his major league tenure. We need to retain a homegrown starter like him.
What has been very noticeable to me in the past coupla’ years has been the late development of prospects that had fallen closer to org filler status under Klentak (or Saberdude)…the worst possible GM choice that could have been made at that time. They have been getting some useful production out of some of the spare parts that were lying around, and turning the careers around of a few others that we were afraid were going to fail. Having Bohm as a decent starter with upside again; Stott looking like he can be a real solution; Vierling and Maton and Guthrie as useful spare parts; the development of O’Hoppe and the young pitching; Suarez an actual rotation piece and so on gave them the ability to spend what they did in the past few years to stay competitive while they work to fix the farm system. I am very impressed with DD and Fuld and Mattingly etc. This has been a breath of fresh air in Philly.
I think Nola has to be priority #1. The sooner the better. I’d hope before spring training. If he hits FA it will be tough to keep him.
Agreed on Nola…My take is that Wheeler will bolt after his contract and the Phils hope that Painter/Abel fill out the rotation.
Not sure that Wheeler wants to bolt, but I can see someone paying more for his last big deal than Philly will if they sign Nola again, and if Pain and Abel appear to be viable rotation arms.
Taj is my biggest worry but they seem to have a plan.
In no way saying Wheeler wants to bolt….agree with you that he’ll be offered more than the Phils want to pay. Ranger becomes arb eligible in ’24 to boot…
The article cited DH possibilities to replace Harper as RH hitting regulars being given a day off from D.
Darick Hall did a very nice job in 2022 as a LH DH when he was called up after Harper’s injury. The man batted in the middle of the line-up, showed power at times, and got more than a few big hits that turned the momentum of games around. It seems he should be getting into the DH mix if he’s in shape come Spring Training.
Along those lines, the DD / Rob Thompson tandem has done a great job of using the coaches at both the ML and MiBL level to get the best out of young, marginal players, then use them in ML games where they can help the team to win. If that holds in 2023 there will be some players coming up that while not known as big prospects, will help the team. Additionally, DD is sensational at working with his staff to find players during the season that other teams have given up on that again, can be turned over to the coaches and consequently used at points in games to help the team win.
It takes the (ever changing) entire 26 man roster to win in MLB today, and this Phillies administration are very good at finding and tuning up complementary players. Look forward to some surprises again in 2023.
@Samuel – The sea change for longtime Phils fans is almost hard to take in, at least for me. Having some real faith in the abilities of the front office, talent acquisition and player development side, along with coaching and management on the field has been such an incredible rarity in Philly.
Under Gillick…yes, to a point. But he never really tried to dig deep to restructure the old Phillies Way dynamic as he knew that he was here to do a job and then head into the sunset. He was basically a legend that came in to oversee and direct, but not fundamentally alter things. The Paul Owens years were the last time that I thought that they were an upper tier organization, and that was a completely different era.
DD and Co. are fundamentally altering the underpinnings and professionalizing the ranks in a way that the old school Phillies have never done in the past. And credit to Middleton for finally allowing the old Main Line mentality to step aside and allow it to happen.
Every team in baseball has been upgrading the business and baseball structures in the past twenty years, and I was afraid that we were going to continue to fall behind. So being able to have some faith around here is a wonderful thing. When they make a depth move and I don’t know enough to hold much of an opinion, it is so nice to be able to relax and think that they have done so after really thinking it through. The moves may not work, but they are working at a much better rate than in the past.
Lord I am so happy they retired the “phillies way”. I understand loyalty and giving former players spots, but it was not a winning way…
They tried with the MacPhail/Klentak years and failed,but at least they failed with something new..
Now with Dombrowski/Fuld they have succeeded. The minor leagues are synced up and Cotham’s philosophy has the pitchers working….I know it won’t last forever, but hopefully the new phillies way will continue.
I don’t think that the Phillies Way is gone – the conservative Main Line underpinning still exists and they have been this way forever.
But it is radically altered, and that is enough. Would love to see them continue to bring in outside minds…senior consultants and executives that refresh and revamp here and there. It shocked me when they hired Gillick. The move towards Saberdude and MacPhail was basically “Phillies Way with Metrics”, but no other real sea change. Very simplistic…trust the numbers and have them guide all decisions as clearly they must know better.
DD would not have come on board unless he knew two things…that he could revamp the organization, and that MiddleBucks would spend the $$ in the interim to stay competitive.
Know the main line way well, grew up in Rosemont……
Am very happy with your “radically altered” take.
Phil’s should trade for a guy like Baltimore’s Hays. He’s a natural CF with a cannon arm who is only being used in LF at the moment. 5 tool player.
They are going to give Brandon Marsh every chance to make CF his own this year, and have Johan Rojas at AAA trying to refine his hitting. No need to trade for Hays right now.
Marsh is the man!!!! Bummed to see him leave Anaheim tho. But mark my words… dude is going to be a stud in this league
@carver am very intrigued by Rojas, according to reports he’s defensively ready to play CF, but the hit tool needs work. It’s already been mentioned that teams are inquiring about him….
He could be so good if the bat plays. Wonderful to watch on the basepaths and in CF. The bat IS making some progress, so we can dream.
Kungfooshus;
What you wrote about Hays is mostly correct. Yes, he can play CF. But in Camden Yards he plays LF due to the deep LF wall, where both his range and arm help the pitcher. Usually on the road he plays RF.
He’s under 6 year control. Should the O’s trade him they’re going to want a very good return. As CarverAndrews noted, now is not the time for the Phillies to be looking for a CF. In fact, Marsh may well be a better CF than Hays.
Like Dave Winfield used to be, Marsh is a big man that at times looks a bit gawky going after balls due to his long strides. Don’t let that fool you. The man covers a lot of ground.
Awesome shout to Aaron and Austin Nola!! In Baton Rouge tonight, they are headlining a fundraiser for ALS at one of the local watering holes. Great guys, awesome individuals, and my pleasure to have had a small part in their development when they were in high school.
As a Padres fan I have to wonder about the conversations at the Nola house – “hey bro why don’t you join me in SD next year and I’ll catch you every 5th day”. “Sounds good since they are losing Yu and Blake anyway”
@longtime – You can’t have him. We have first dibs.
The flip side of that conversation would be “Hey Austin, why don’t you come to Philly where you can be my personal catcher / bench piece / quality ute”. Not quite the same ring to it…
Damn. Now I’ll have to step in as their dad and say “play nice somewhere together, but not in San Diego or Philly” LOL
True story: because of the difference in ages, Austin never caught Aaron in high school or college. Or in a professional game to my knowledge.
Austin actually WOULD be a nice bench piece.
Austin would fill a couple of gaps for sure and be a sweet fit, but his highest and best use is where a team needs him to play a more steady role I think.
definitely need to bring back Nola for 2024 and beyond. Hopefully we can stay within 5-6 of the braves/Mets until Harper is back. I can’t wait to see that lineup when all are back tighter. That should be a thing of beauty in July-October next year
This site seriously needs a proofreader. There are always errors and just bad writing in every story.
Agreed. I used to be an editor for an online publication and have offered my services to Tim very cheaply, but no interest.
The budget for copy editing has been taken away from much larger publications than this, and it is across the board. Plus, the nature of posting content online is different from the old school process.
When you see routine errors in the NYT, Wapo, BBC, WSJ, the Economist et al you know how it has changed. For what Tim is doing here, IMHO they are doing fine with it. At times they should go back and clean it up, but the press of getting more copy out can take precedence.
The comments section, however, can be an utter travesty… ; )
Darrick Hall is still on the team right?
Darick will be in the mix in ST. I just don’t see him as much more than AAAA depth either. Not much in the field; can’t hit lefties; not very athletic. Really a platoon DH / 1B / PH with terrific raw power but a lot of swing and miss. However, he has already achieved more than I would have predicted after seeing a decent amount of him in the minors so perhaps there is a little more room for growth. Great kid however.
“Neither Castellanos or Schwarber are considered great defenders on the grass,”
I’m not sure they’re even close to being “decent” defenders.
Having watched Castellanos play right field in the Natti, he can be a good, not great, defender if he puts his mind to it but he gets lazy on defense at times.
Now Schwarber, he was always a DH waiting to happen. Like the dude, but he needs to stay away from defense. Unfortunately for the Phil’s, with Harper recovering, probably all season, there is no option there.
Stop putting meanwhile in the middle of sentences when you can start the sentence with it.
I have a hard to seeing them being able to afford Nola. He is going to demand Somme serious money if he makes it to the open market.
So…if Bohm or Stott are out for an extended period of time THEN WHAT?
Kingery?
Resign Ronald Torreyes ?
Guthrie and Sosa?