The Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski and Manager Rob Thomson addressed the media Tuesday morning. This was both of their first appearances since last week's defeat to the New York Mets in the NLDS.
After a disappointing finish to the season, there are a lot of questions regarding the roster, coaching staff, and front office as we head into the offseason.
Here are the takeaways from today's presser. Dave Dombrowski was first to address the press.
Rob Thomson's contract has been extended until 2026 and all coaches will return in 2025.
Dombrowski opened the presser by informing everyone that they have signed Rob Thomson to an extension until the end of the 2026 season, and all the major league coaches will return next season. This is the right move. Topper has one of the best winning percentages in franchise history and has led this team to the playoffs in his only 3 seasons as manager. The loss to the Mets is not on him.
Retaining every coach, I am not okay with. When I say "every coach" I am only talking about one. I really do not think hitting coach Kevin Long should return. My biggest frustration with the Phillies offense is how streaky they get. I think there needs to be a new approach for the offensive game.
The Phillies will not be looking to add another "star" this offseason
The Phillies have a star-studded lineup. The biggest free agents this offseason are Yankees OF Juan Soto and Astros 3B Alex Bregman. Dombrowksi feels like the team does not have to add any more star players to their roster. Even though he said all of that, he still reiterated that adding another star is not out of the conversation.
I am sure the Phillies will have conversations with Soto and Bregman at some point this offseason. I don't see adding stars as a priority for the team like it has in previous years, but you never know with John Middleton.
Johan Rojas and outfield update
Johan Rojas is such a frustrating player sometimes. He is as good of a defender as anyone in baseball. However, he can't hit or bunt. When he does get on base, he has lightning speed but has horrible IQ while on base. Dombrowski and Thomson both stated that Rojas would be moving to Clearwater this winter and would be working on a new hitting workout. An interesting note, neither Dombrowski or Thomson were willing to say Rojas would be the Opening Day centerfielder.
Thomson did not speak much on him, but Dombrowski spoke about Brandon Marsh. He acknowledges his issues against lefties, but he is still very high on Marsh. There is a good chance that Marsh is in CF on Opening Day.
I have never been a huge fan of Rojas. Even though he is a great defender, his hitting and base running issues are too much of a liability. If they can find a new LF this offseason, I am high on Brandon Marsh, and he should be the center fielder on Opening Day.
Catcher
Dombrowski and Thomson both spoke on how JT Realmuto needs more time off and they need him to be well rested by October. This was evident when he fully disappeared as a hitter in the playoffs. It also seems like Garrett Stubbs may not be back next season. Dombrowski talked about wanting to upgrade that position but did not rule out Stubbs returning. Thomson spoke about how JT is an advocate for playing more and that conversation will occur this winter.
Star players
Many people think Trea Turner should switch positions as his numbers at SS are not great the last two seasons. Dombrowski made it clear that Trea Turner would be the starting SS next season
Rob Thomson was asked about Bryce Harper's health. Thomson said Bryce will have some tests and scans done but overall, there is no concern.
Taijuan Walker
Dombrowki did not sugar coat anything when he said Walker had a bad season. He also did not guarantee that Walker would be the 5th starter next season. He expects Walker to be at Spring Training, but did say there would be a competition for that 5th spot. Dombrowski did say Andrew Painter would be part of that competition.
Jeff Hoffman vs. Carlos Estevez
Hoffman and Estevez are two of three free agents for the Phillies this offseason. Dombrowki said he liked what Estevez did for the bullpen once he joined the team. He also said that he is still high on Hoffman even with the playoff woes. Dombrowski talked about how he does not think it is likely that they bring both back in 2025.
If I am the Phillies Hoffman should be the guy. Yes, his postseason struggles sucked, but you can't forget what he did during the regular season.
Fixing the chase issues
The Phillies have their fair share issues. The biggest one is their chase rate which is 7th in MLB. Dombrowski and Thomson were asked about this a ton of times. Both men discussed how they are going to re-evaluate their approach at the plate. If you are bringing Kevin Long back, then you should expect a very similar outcome.
Rob Thomson felt the lineup was trying to hit the long ball way more than they should. He wants the team to use the whole field way more.
I have been on record saying this and I will say it again. Kevin Long should not return next season. The Phillies approach at the plate has been their weakness in their last 3 playoff defeats. In each of their series losses, their bats have gone cold. Their approach at the plate in each of those cold streaks is the chase rates are increasingly high. Bringing Kevin Long back, guarantees that we will see a similar situation next season.
Running it back
The salty taste of the NLDS loss is still very much in everyone's mouth. As soon as the Mets clinched every fan had their opinion on who should return and who should not in 2025. Dave Dombrowski seems to want to run it back with a very similar roster in 2025. He applauded the team for getting 95 wins during the regular season. He mentioned the roster was built to win the World Series in 2024, but the offense going cold and the bullpen imploding was unexpected.
Thomson spoke briefly on this. He made it clear that Dombrowski puts the team together and he manages the team. He did say he would evaluate his lineup approach and did mention Kyle Schwarber could move away from the leadoff role, but he did say he still loves Schwarber in the leadoff role.
I do agree with Dombrowski that this roster can win a World Series. Unfortunately winning a World Series is difficult. Instead of blowing this roster up over this loss, you have to sit back and just say the Phillies lost the series. They can make changes, but this team is going to look very similar in 2025 and I agree. I would love to see the lineup look differently. Even though the names will all be the same, I do think a change to the lineup would help this team.
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