The Phillies might have already made their biggest moves of the offseason. On Friday, the team announced the signing of outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year, $10MM deal. Kepler’s is the second major league contract Philadelphia has given out this winter; they signed right-handed reliever Jordan Romano to a one-year, $8.5MM guarantee earlier this month. At a recent press conference, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski suggested those two signings are likely his primary offseason additions.
The executive spoke favorably of Kepler, praising his selectivity and bat-to-ball skills. According to Baseball Savant, the Phillies ranked among the bottom half of teams in contact and chase rate in 2024. Evidently, Dombrowski is hoping Kepler will help to fix that problem. His chase rate was below average this past year but typically ranks among the top 25% of the league. Meanwhile, his contact rate has been above average in every season of his career.
Kepler will slot into the lineup as the primary left fielder. Although he has never played the position at the MLB level, Dombrowski has no concerns about his ability to quickly pick it up. He has graded out as an excellent defensive right fielder throughout his career. Of more concern than Kepler’s ability to play left field is his ability to hit left-handed pitching. The lefty batter had reverse platoon splits in 2024 but has often struggled against southpaws in his career. Dombrowski makes it clear that Kepler won’t just be the strong side of a platoon in Philadelphia. However, the POBO identifies the righty-batting Weston Wilson as someone who could occasionally cover for Kepler with a tough lefty on the mound. Johan Rojas is another righty-batting outfielder on the roster, but he’ll most likely be busy covering for center fielder Brandon Marsh, another lefty-batting outfielder with poor platoon splits.
While Dombrowski spoke highly of Kepler, he acknowledged that his new signing is coming off a down year. It’s debatable how true that is; Kepler’s .682 OPS and 94 wRC+ in 2024 were a big step down from his .816 OPS and 123 wRC+ in 2023, but right in line with his .694 OPS and 95 wRC+ from 2021-22. The version of Kepler on display in 2024 might be closer to his true talents than the version we saw in 2023. Regardless, Dombrowski offered some insight into why the outfielder took a step back in 2024 and why the Phillies are optimistic he’ll improve in 2025. Kepler was playing through a core muscle injury for much of the 2024 season. However, he had surgery to repair the issue this offseason and has already recovered. Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long watched him swing earlier, and Dombrowski suggests Long was pleased with what he saw.
While Kepler and Romano are both looking to bounce back from injuries in 2025, Dombrowski would not characterize either signing as bargain bin shopping. He emphasized that Kepler and Romano are simply two players the team wanted – indeed, he says they have liked Kepler for quite a while – and it was the players themselves who sought one-year deals. It seems that both are hoping to boost their value and re-enter the free agent market next offseason.
On a similar note, Dombrowski also denied that he is working under strict payroll constraints. That said, he did make it quite clear that he almost certainly isn’t looking to sign any additional impact free agents. If that proves to be true, this would be the first offseason in Dombrowski’s tenure with the Phillies that he didn’t sign a free agent to a nine-figure contract. However, Philadelphia’s payroll is still projected to increase by more than $30MM to a franchise-record $280MM in 2025 (per RosterResource). That’s largely because the three-year, $126MM extension Zack Wheeler signed this past March will begin next year. In other words, one could argue that Dombrowski did sign a nine-figure deal this offseason – he just did it several months early.
As for smaller additions to improve the team along the margins, Dombrowski identifies two needs: one more position player for the bench and a swingman for the pitching staff. Currently, the Phillies have three bench players who seem to be locks for the Opening Day roster: utility infielder Edmundo Sosa, fourth outfielder Rojas, and backup catcher Garrett Stubbs. They could use one more option who can play both the infield and the outfield. While Dombrowski doesn’t eliminate the possibility of seeking an external upgrade, he suggests the Phillies are more likely to stick with their internal candidates. He names Wilson, Kody Clemens, and Buddy Kennedy as three players who could fill that role from within the organization.
Wilson has the most MLB success of the trio, albeit in a small sample size, and Dombrowski mentioned his name multiple times during the presser. The only thing working against his chances of making the Opening Day roster right now is the fact that he still has one option year remaining. Clemens and Kennedy are out of options, which means the Phillies would risk losing them through waivers if they don’t put them on the active roster. On the other hand, Clemens is at a disadvantage as another lefty bat, while Kennedy has very limited professional experience playing the outfield.
Turning to the pitching staff, Dombrowski is more likely to look outside the organization for an upgrade. Ideally, he’d like an arm that could potentially take the fifth spot in the rotation but could also pitch out of the bullpen if Taijuan Walker wins the fifth starter job out of camp. That seems to describe someone like Spencer Turnbull, who the Phillies signed for one year and $2MM last offseason. Turnbull made seven starts and 10 relief appearances for Philadelphia before suffering a season-ending injury. Jakob Junis could be an intriguing option to fill that role in 2025. The 32-year-old righty has made 27 starts and 60 relief appearances over the past three years, pitching to a 3.80 ERA and 3.62 SIERA.
The Phillies currently have six locks for the Opening Day bullpen. Dombrowski describes Romano, Matt Strahm, José Alvarado, and Orion Kerkering as back-end arms, and he identifies Tanner Banks and José Ruiz as middle-inning relievers the team likes. That leaves two bullpen spots open. One spot would presumably go to the aforementioned swingman. The other will most likely remain up for grabs entering spring training. Dombrowski mentioned Max Lazar as one possibility to win the job. The righty struggled in a handful of big league appearances this past year but excelled in the minors.
One final point of interest from Dombrowski’s press conference was his brief discussion of NPB phenom Roki Sasaki. The executive made it clear the Phillies would love to engage in further discussions with Sasaki and his team, but at this time, Philadelphia has not been invited to do so. That’s not entirely surprising – the Phillies never seemed like a frontrunner in the Sasaki sweepstakes – but it’s still a disappointing update.
hell, bring me back. I got a couple dingers left in me!!
If you spent a few months training with Slammin Sammy Sosa I’m sure you could start catching up to the fastball again.
you mean Steroids Sammy?
Roki will have ever to watch the Phillies win the next 2 world series from the bar. He really should reconsider coming to Philadelphia.
Bohm & Castellanos For Casas & Yoshida. Win win?
Well – let’s see. The Phils have MVP Bryce ensconced at 1B and Schwarber at DH; you don’t want to mess with his health by moving him back to the OF; Schwarbs is a top DH bat that is a negative in the OF. Casas a nice young 1B that they can’t use, and Yoshida can’t play the OF and averages about 30 fewer HR than the DH that he would ostensibly replace.
So they would give up a solid young 3B with 2 years of control (leaving themselves with no 3B replacement) and a functional RF with an underwater contract for two players that don’t fit their team at all.
Can we say win / lose?
Lol. Move Harper back to RF after trading Castellanos and have Yoshida play LF. Is Harper too old?
Typical fan retort. Bryce is a superior fielding 1B already, and the most important player on the team. Yes, one looks to protect his health moving forward, and he impacts the team more positively at 1B.
Yoshida is a lousy OF and there is a reason that the Red Sox can’t unload him (no power as a DH and can’t play the field, underwater contract). In essence you are trying to cure a Red Sox issue (Devers is a terrible fielder at 3rd and needs to be a DH / 1B but they already have those positions spoken for) but you fail to take into account that it weakens the Phils.
Do you want them to win a WS or just personal awards?
Who do you prefer, Yoshida or Castellanos?
Are you even trying to make a sensible point, or are you simply on here to be a childish trollboy? Good night kid.
It’s a simple question. Do you think the Phillies can win a WS as the current team is constructed?
Schwarber is about to fall off a cliff. It’s bound to happen and I predict soon.
Yoshida is just starting to adjust to the east coast time zone. I predict he will have a monster season next year.
OK – one more shot, but you need to stop being snide about your opinions when they are kinda’ ridiculous in their presentation.
* Schwarber – last contract season, and he has performed at a high level. Last year he improved his hitting approach by a lot after committing to an altered approach. Considered to be one of the top few DH’s in the game. His last year, despite your utterly meaningless and uninformed baseball “prediction”, has little risk of a crushing downturn.
* Given the Phils roster, I would prefer them to keep the DH spot open rather than allocated to one player.after this year. Schwarbs has delivered enough that it is hard to argue, but a Yoshida…nope.
* Bryce is the drink straw…the team revolves around him. Terrific hitter, and took to first like a duck to water. We need to keep him healthy. In RF he is far more injury prone, and basically is now an average fielder out there. Don’t mess with the best player on the team.
* Castellanos – not a great investment for sure, but he still adds some value. Watch him every day and his defense, while not graceful, is league average-ish acceptable. And the bat, overall, has been a match for Yoshida. Why add a third year of similar cost for a player that is not a notable improvement? They probably trade Castle next off season anyway and look to improve that spot.
* I like Casas – he has real upside at the plate. But he is a young 1B / DH that is not a plus fielder at the position that is the easiest and cheapest to replace in all of baseball.
* I hardly love Bohm, but he is solid, young and still cheap. I don’t want to pay Bregman, and Bohm is a good fit until Miller hits at some point in late 2026.
You overestimate by a lot the value of Yoshida, and really don’t pay attention to the real world impact of your trade on the Phils. It solve Red Sox problems, but is a net stupid for the Phils.
Lol. You lost me at OK.
Actually you are simply lost.
The Phillies will be running back (basically) the same roster and same coaching staff that has regressed over the past three years and are expecting a different result. Isn’t that the definition of insanity?
They won 95 games and their division last year. Rest is basically random.
You should go to a dictionary and read the definition of insanity.
@Lindor’s Bodyguard
I wouldn’t expect a Mets fan to have enough of an education to know who Rita Mae Brown is, let alone have the comprehension to understand the context of the quote. Reading is fundamental, troll.
“About
Rita Mae Brown is an American feminist writer, best known for her coming-of-age autobiographical novel, Rubyfruit Jungle. Brown was active in a number of civil rights campaigns and criticized the marginalization of lesbians within feminist groups.”
Why are you here?
DEI hire
Wow! You’re capable of copy and paste! Go away, troll. Your bridge misses you.
Heels! HHAHAHAHA ZINGER
Thought that was Oda Mae Brown?
Dumbrowski has thrown in the towel.
They had the second best record in baseball.
@YankeesBleacherCreature: You don’t watch much baseball, do ya? How’d their 2nd half go? How’d they finish in 2022 then 2023 then 2024? I’d have expected that lack of understanding only from Mets trash…
Does the AM stand for American Moron?
Brutal in the second half my ill in formed wanna be genius. Imploded in the playoffs or weren’t you watching???. Stop with this nonsense. Dumbrowski wasted his money on walker, turner, castallanos, Alvarado and a few names that escape me. Dumbrowski is paying the price for bad signings,bad trades and being a idiot. You sir, are dismissed back to the rotten apple.
Not Turner. The last SS the Phillies produced was Jimmy Rollins and before that….Larry Bowa.
It took LAD and WASH many attempts to break through. HOU did well but got knocked out a few times. NYY still trying to win since 2009. PHI should have been able to push them to 6 or 7 games back then. ARod cheater.
Ownership has done enough it’s on the players and coaches to get it done now.
“From without the organization”?
Ain’t gonna happen. He’s gonna get a starter job and starter money somewhere
I was referring to this part of the article that orignally said “without” instead of “within”
He names Wilson, Kody Clemens, and Buddy Kennedy as three players who could fill that role from within the organization.
They are who we thought they would be. I don’t think its Middleton shutting down payroll adds. I think it simply boils down to Dave Dombrowski believing in Rojas, Weston Wilson, Clemens, Stubbs and those terrible reliever names I can’t even mention who are on the current roster. Factor in Rob’s love of platoons and it’s right back to 24′. Hopefully Kepler remains on the roster longer than Merrifield. I still can’t. figure out why DD traded Sir Anthony………Should at least try to bring back Hays.
’24 when they won 95 games? Every team should be so lucky to run back a playoff roster.
Yeah… making the playoffs is always be goal. LOL
Yes it is the goal. After that anything can happen.
Unless your roster regressed each year and no changes are made. But hey, enjoy the participation trophy.
AM21, I get the point you are trying to make but it feels over wrought, the last 3 years the Phil’s have won a pennant and a division championship, that’s 2 banners and a lot of exciting playoff baseball for the fans, they have also invested a ton in the roster, gotta give some credit.
They get credit, sure. But then they not only have stalled, they’ve gone less far each year. And last season they REALLY fell apart after the ASG.
Figured, he would’ve went to Philadelphia after visiting new york. I guess we can rule them out.
I miss DD in Boston. They were the last years when the Sox were taken seriously.
Disappointing update? Completely disappointing offseason thus far for the Phightin’s. I get the Romano and Kepler deals as more of a bargain, but why let Austin Hays go when you could have had him for 4 million less than Kepler. Kepler is an older version of Brandon Marsh that doesn’t crush lefties at all.
I’m left to think that maybe DD has something in the works in terms of a trade. I could understand the Phillies making these moves and trying to offload Casty to try and reset the Luxury Tax, but they will need to do more than that.
In my mind, either go for nbraoke or commit to resetting the tax and focus on 2026. Don’t sit in the middle.
Multiple thumbs up.
Is nbraoke when basketball players try to sing at a bar?
Bring back Hoffman at least, c’mon Dave…
Kepler deal is a real head scratcher. Not calling out the player, just calling out the fit
Thanks for stating the obvious.
They needed to let Nola walk last year. He’s been a fantastic draft pick, player and person for the franchise but you have to know when to say no and not hand out that terrible contract.
The way starting pitchers are being paid again this offseason, I disagree. If Nola stays healthy and delivers 6 years of sub 4.00 pitching, he’ll be a value.
That’s crazy talk. 20 teams would love to have Nola on his current contract.
Excellent take. Nola was another Dumbrowski mistake.
No it wasn’t. Nola is one of the few pitchers in baseball who can be counted on for 200+ innings a year. Now Taijuan Walker, THAT was a mistake.
Dombrowski left the Phillies with little payroll flexibility this year, so Kepler and Romano are gambles with quality pasts. Next year, Realmuto, Schwarber, Suarez, Alvarado, Strahm, Romano and Kepler all come off the books. Much more freedom the .
Excellent take. Dumbrowski blew it on walker, turner, castallanos etc etc etc etc etc.
I don’t see anything wrong with the deal they gave Turner. It’s way better than what the Padres gave Bogaerts, who isn’t good as Turner.
So, Johnny, who would you rather have running the Phils? Name names! As a Tiger fan, Ilitch spun the Tigers down the drain after firing Mr. D. I would take him running my team over anyone else you can likely put up. What we have never seen to date is how DD maintains or reloads a top team as it ages. I still put my money on DD to keep PHL on top tier level. Who else has gotten 4 different teams to the WS in quick fashion. Be careful what you wish for – you just might get it. Tiger fans would take him back in a heartbeat. Only armchair critics would think otherwise.
I’m not blasting DD. He’s protecting the top prospects and the Phillies are good. It’s clear Middleton wants to avoid those 110% penalties, and this is likely a one year blip. Like I said, with a good roster.
FREE Weston Wilson
That’s Cycle hitting Weston Wilson buddy!
Maybe Dave could call the A’s and attempt to unload the other bad contract he signed. Pay 80% of what is left for Taijuan Walker and get him out of here for a bag of balls before Topper has him available on the roster.
Call the Reds or Boston and offer to pay down some of Nick C’s contract. It’s possible….just takes some EFFORT!
You know, you’re right. I bet DD just isn’t trying hard enough. You should definitely go and give him some tips on how to be a successful baseball executive, Cambo!
Why in the world would the As want Walker? Even at $5 million?
“if Taijuan Walker wins the fifth starter job out of camp”
The Phillies instantly become a “wildcard hopeful” at best. Walker is only fit to give Garrett Stubbs pitching arm a rest.
He shouldn’t even be on the Opening Day roster. I knew they were punting this off-season when I saw them re-sign Stubbs.
stubbs has an option remaining. Marchan does not. If marchan hats any kind of Spring then he will be the back up catcher. Stubbs will go to aaa and help with the pitchers we are sending there.
Word is that Sasaki has no interest in Philadelphia because he’s seen how poorly the fans treat the players. He doesn’t care for the booing. It’s disrespectful.
I wouldn’t say there’s any less scrutiny on players in New York…
The best player in Phillie history hated his time with team because of the constant booing. Can that remotely be said for any Yankee or Mets greats?
You sound like a baby.
metsin4
I would guess you are talking about Schmidt.
Schmidt’s unemotional style of play and aloofness didn’t sit well with fans. Schmidt publicly criticized fans, which may have contributed to the disconnect.
However, Schmidt later said that he was the one to blame for being miserable in Philadelphia and that he felt he left something on the table. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995 and gave a Hall of Fame Induction speech that was primarily a love letter to Phillies fans.
Other quotes from Michael Jack
“They read their sports pages, know their statistics and either root like hell or boo our butts off. I love it. Give me vocal fans, pro or con, over the tourist types who show up in Houston or Montreal and just sit there.” – March 31, 1975
May 26, 1990
And finally, my fans:
I want to tell you straight from the heart, how I feel about you and your influence on this game. As athletes, we’re disciplined, we’re focused, we’re even tough. But I know of no athlete who is immune to fan reaction, positive or negative. Yes, you fans affect the game in a ‘big’ way. Calling Philadelphia fans spectators hardly describes your impact. You help mold the spirit of a team. Your positive feedback is crucial in the Phillies’ right to stay on top. You know, I’m often asked what I miss most about the game. It’s tough to sort out all the wonderful memories and come up with a definite answer. But I can tell you this; I’ll always miss the goose bumps I got when you cheered me. I’ve collected eighteen years of those goose bumps, from my first hit back in 1972 to the welcome you gave me tonight. To right now. That feeling can never be recreated, but that feeling will always be remembered.
My dreams started on a small playground near my home where I first learned how to hold a bat. My dreams came true here on this field. This game – baseball – is rich with strategy, talent, challenge, excitement and yes, tradition. But most of all, this game of baseball creates a bond – an indescribable bond, a bond that brings all of us together. All of us, not only teams but, families, friends, communities and, yes, even countries. At this very moment, I feel that bond and it will always be with me. I don’t know where life will lead. but the Phillies and Philadelphia will forever hold a very special place in my heart.
Thank you all – all of you.”
Oh……for someone who hated his team….why did he continue to work with, for and be affiliated with them all the way up until 2022?
Tuck your bias away and put down the crack pipe and view the reality.
He didn’t say those things until long after his retirement. He repeatedly as you stat told the city and fans how miserable they were. He only took the blame because Phillie fans were too moronic to do so. Philly fans still blaming him tells you just how bad the cities fans are.
You should change your screen name to “Summer’s Eve”, it fits you better. You are about as pleasant as a 3 finger rectal exam.
He had issues with fans and he loved the fans….and the fans felt the same way.
You really should carry a plant to make up for the oxygen you’re wasting.
Naturally you can reply again with more feces but after this i will just ignore you as life is too short to suffer the willfully obtuse
Have a nice day
Listen to how you talk and it sums up a Philly fan. Nasty and disgusting.
If you mean Schmidt, he’s a God in Philly and is back every Sunday for TV analysis. That’s how bitter he is.
Doesn’t change how bad he was treated while playing.
@batman2825. Could be a theory, but why did he talk to the new york teams.they can be brutal as well.
Uhhhhh, to drive his price up?
For the major league minimum salary which every team is limited to offering?
@letsplay. His price is a minor league contract that’s fixed. I don’t think they can add anything.
@batman2825
Then the player needs to man up and do a better job. Rise to the occassion and do your job if you don’t want to be booed. Fans pay good money for watching grown men play a sport. If not, go back to Japan.
Or like he said they can just choose not to play in Philly and not take unnecessary crap from fans that think they are entitled to treat people like crap because they pay good money.
pot meet kettle
sny.tv/articles/mets-francisco-lindor-booing-cheer…
And fans got lit up after booing him. As soon as the boos changed to cheering he became a top 10 player again. I don’t condone booing anywhere. What does it accomplish.
‘I don’t condone booing anywhere” Then say that without your bias sowing and singling out one team you don’t like.
Your hypocrisy is showing metsiesin4
I didn’t single anyone out. Sasaki did. Sorry the truth hurts and Philly have a bad reputation.
‘The best player in Phillie history hated his time with team because of the constant booing.” – smells like bull dung to me.
Bye Bye
@old york. He’s not going to Philly because he doesn’t want too. Everything else is just speculation. If he shows up i guess you have 1/15 chance to sign him. Maybe he doesn’t like Philly cheese steaks who knows, but it definitely sounds like he’s checked them off the list.
Mute your self before I do.
@johhny devil. Thanks for announcing. I don’t think anyone cares.
He’s seen how poorly they treated Santa.
I agree that the roster is generally strong; we won 95 games in 2024. But in my opinion we’re going into 2025 with an aging roster and one that’s slightly worse. I’m just not sure why we wouldn’t just push the chips in now. I would rather we spend the money than the prospects at the deadline.
Dumbrowski loves to nuke farm systems. The Tigers are just beginning to recover.
That was ten years ago.
Lazy take and if a small bit of research is done you’d find he’s no different than many other gms (except well he’s a HOF gm) Has he made mistakes, of course they all have. Also look at the draft selections he has made. Dombrowski has had way more winners than losers in his transaction history.
As for Detroit, he was given a mandate by an owner very close to meeting his maker. And please peruse those Detroit squads – stacked.
And yeah I am a phillies fan.
Bring back the down-vote
No, emptying farm systems is a Dumbrowski trait. It was widely noted by those writing at every baseball site including Fangraphs when Dumbrowski took over.
@cpdpoet – It would be terrific if one could engage with a small group of very solid posters that combine reasonable baseball knowledge with a non-trollish personality. Unfortunately that requires wading through the murky cesspools of willful ignorance combined with arrogant stupidity in order to get there. In essence, the comments sections are just like the general electorate… ; )
Check the stats on prospects. Most don’t pan out and have far more value when traded with their *potential* in tact. Detroit fans would take DD back in a heart beat. Don’t criticize the GM for a lineup that goes stone-cold in the playoffs … you think he sabotaged his own players with voodoo dolls or something? The MLB post-season is a crapshoot in this era. How many WC teams made the WS or won it all? My money is on DD every time. Betting on him is like betting on the house – the odds are built that way. Otherwise, please tell us who you want to take his place. Yeah … didn’t think so.
Go back to China and learn English.
@johnny devil. You should try stand-up you clown
Tigers have long had issues drafting quality players – DD’s crew did better than most Tiger GM’s, you can look it up! Beyond drafting, the Tigers haven’t been able to develop a position player of note in even more decades. Harris is fixing that now – time will tell. DD turned a 20 year crap run in DTW into an ‘06 WS team in only 2.5 years. Yes, he traded away Adames for E. Saurez, but on a whole he unearthed more diamonds than chicken poop. He flipped tons of high draft picks to build winners, and the list of those draft picks he would want back is short. Best/longest run in Tigers history. Miami, Detroit and Boston would all take him back to fix the messes that happened after he left or was fired – look what happened to each after he left. Also, a true gentleman to all – you never hear a former player rip him. Our family met him personally while in DTW and he is a great guy. Mr. I blew it letting him go – tho he might have done more to solidly the bullpen in 2012-2013. I will be in Cooperstown when he goes in.
Hasn’t done it in Philly at all.
Phillies did win 95, but they also were basically a .500 team for half the year. They got off to such a hot start, then faded. Maybe they’re closer to the .500 team than the dominant first half team at this point.
Phillies have also been extremely fortunate with the health of their starting pitchers. Wheeler might miss a game or 2, but nola never gets hurt. Repeatable mechanics? Maybe, but there’s a lot of miles on that arm too
That’s why it’s a long season of 162, and “they play the games” vs annointing the WS teams after spring training prognostication. Look at all the March/April predictions of all the MLB talking heads come October 1. All those geniuses are batting <.100 … which is why there has still not been a statue built for a critic. Who would be a better alternative GM/POBO than DD? Philly is fortunate to have him, but you May not realize it until he is gone.
Hall of Famer Dave Dombrowski isn’t finished. I’m sure there are talks of trades on the table. The trouble is unless those trades bring back players who can stay on the roster, Dave is going to run out of free agent options. If you see guys signing sooner rather than later, that will limit Dave’s moves going forward
The highest priority for the phillies should be trading away their fans.
@coyote521
Highest priority is to get the greedy, overpaid players to do their job everyday. If you’re hitting.240, you’re a minor league player not major league. Man up and start hitting the ball with at least 0.333 average. Too much trash in the game right now.
As predicted, the Phillies will once again rely on their very strong fan base to see them through another season financially, and start planning for 2026. Adding Max Kepler and even a top shelf closer is unlikely to win the NL East crown for the Phils in 2025. This is unfortunate because players who could actually improve the Phils this season are still available. Despite assertions to the contrary, the Phils are reluctant to take on 3 or 4 year contracts with big annual salaries because they are already bogged down with too many big salaries and don’t want to spend any more money on luxury taxes. The Phils think tank realizes it could immediately trade pending free agents Schwarber, Realmuto and Suarez for decent returns and have the money to make their 2025 team truly competitive without increasing their luxury taxes, but the very thought of having to explain why these fan favorites were traded is probably more than Dombrowski and Middleton are willing to handle. So, they’ll muddle through 2025 with these guys still onboard and, when the Phils come up short once again in October, the Phils’ front office will display disappointment that their all-star lineup failed to win a world championship in four tries, announce their latest rebuilding program, load up on the next round of superstars and can’t-miss prospects, and probably find a new manager. With guys like Vlad Guerrero Jr., Kyle Tucker, and Luis Arraez becoming free agents after this season, and Phils’ prospects like Miller, Crawford, Marchan, Tait, and Painter finally ready for prime time, the Phils will be well positioned to do a complete makeover and hopefully become more competitive with teams that are improving this offseason. Of course, the Phils could start moving pending free agents by this year’s trade deadline if they find themselves eating the dust of the Mets and Braves early in the season and hear pundits start writing about the dynasty the Dodgers have created. Unfortunately, that will probably be too late to rescue a season that didn’t have to be another disappointment.
How long to copy and paste?
johnny, One minute to copy and paste, one minute to edit, and the rest of the day to discuss the Phillies with other disenchanted fans!
I’m more than disenchanted onmynerves, and I guarantee you I have a lot more skin in this Phillies thing than you or your copy and paste, nonsense, you pass off as your opinion. Like watching losing a 100 while Carltons winning a cy. So Dumbrowski gets a big fat F+ and so in my opinion does your long winded comment about nothing.
Weston Wilson and Kody Clemens are good ball players. The problem is the Phils use them too sporadically which hampers their ability to become consistent, gain confidence, and become recognized for who they really are.
Bohm & Castellanos For Casas & Yoshida. Win win?
Phillies might already have a first baseman AND a DH.
Lol. Move Harper back to RF after trading Castellanos and have Yoshida play LF. Is Harper too old?
1999, The Yanks just signed right-handed hitting Paul Goldschmidt to a one-year, $12.5 million contract. The Phils just signed left handed hitting Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million deal. Which of the two players would you rather have playing for the Phils this year? Also, the Astros took Christian Walker off the table. That leaves free agent Alonso, and trade candidates Arraez and Hoskins as first basemen. All the Phils would have to do is trade Schwarber, move Harper to DH or use a DH-by-committee, and sign a new first baseman. They could also acquire Arenado, move Bohm to first base and Harper to DH. Either option gives the Phils a better team than they currently have. Acquiring Arenado becomes more appealing if the Cards add closer Helsley to the trade. Moving Schwarber is the key to any improvement because it allows the Phils to upgrade at DH and save money with which to sign free agents. Creating a DH by committee will also be important for the Phils moving forward because guys like Realmuto can’t play defense every day.
I’d prefer Casas at 1B, Harper at DH, and Yoshida in RF tbh. Casas has more power and upside than Bohm and moving Harper to DH will protect his health.
Uh, no. Yoshida is a disaster in the OF and casas plays first. I hear that’s taken.
Schwarber Is about to fall off a cliff. It’s bound to happen and I predict soon. Yoshida is just starting to adjust to the east coast time zone. I predict he will have a monster season next year.
1999, Two notable teams, the Diamondbacks and Padres are still in the market for a legitimate DH. The Padres are also looking for catching help. Both teams have players to trade that could benefit the Phillies. Here are two trade suggestions: 1) Schwarber to the Diamondbacks for center fielder Jake McCarthy plus prospects. 2) Schwarber and Stubbs to the Padres for infielder/DH Luis Arraez and catcher Elias Diaz. McCarthy is a young, dynamic center fielder who hits left-handed but hits left-handed pitching especially well. He is an excellent defensive center fielder with good base stealing ability. He has the fire of and plays somewhat like Shane Victorino. The Diamondbacks have a glut of outfielders, including another center fielder, but no real DH since they lost Pederson, Grichuk and Walker. So, McCarthy is a realistic trade candidate for the Phils. NL batting champ Arraez can DH and play any infield position except shortstop. Diaz still has some gas in the tank and could serve as a suitable backup for Realmuto. Because he is 34, the Padres are looking for younger catching help. With Marchan available in the minors and Tait quickly on the rise, the Phils would probably only need Diaz for one year.
The time to look out for some spectacular trade or acquisition is when Dave Dombrowski publicly states that the Phillies probably won’t be making any additional moves this offseason. Isn’t it time for someone to start writing about the Phils and Angels discussing the long awaited move of Mike Trout to Philly?
Sacramento Sasaki they’ll call him