Although content with their current roster, the Phillies remain open to making more acquisitions in the future.
As things stand right now, the Phillies rank third in the National League, and there’s not much separating them from the team at number four. They have one of the strongest lineups in baseball, a bullpen that is nearly complete, and a starting rotation that includes five respectable pitchers. They are among the top six or seven teams in all of baseball.
Still, the aboriginal people are agitated.
The majority of the fan base finds it strange that the Phillies again signed big-name sluggers to multi-year contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. This is primarily because Aaron Nola was merely re-signed, back when the majority of the leaves on the trees was still green. Team president Dave Dombrowski, who spends approximately 20 minutes every Wednesday on the WIP Morning Show, acknowledged that the off-season hasn’t been very busy.
“In general, I believe that assessment to be accurate. Being quiet doesn’t imply being idle.Yes, it has been silent. Obtaining a starting pitcher was our first major objective, as Aaron Nola was about to become a free agency.
However, this does not imply that Dombrowski has been isolated and not using his phone. While ultimately unsuccessful, the Phillies have been active in their pursuit of some of the players they have targeted this off-season.
These are the main lessons I learned from Dombrowski’s radio interview. The Phillies Showed Initiative in Getting Yamamoto
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a 25-year-old right-handed starting pitcher from Japan, was one of the players Dombrowski actively pursued, acknowledging that the team put a lot of effort into signing him.
"I think people would be shocked if they found out how much money we put on the table for him…but he wanted to go to the Dodgers. That was just the way it was."
— Dombrowski on Yoshinobu Yamamoto pic.twitter.com/bD8S8ImtRh
— WIP Morning Show (@WIPMorningShow) February 7, 2024
It seemed very obvious that the Phillies tried all in their power to persuade him to forgo playing with fellow Japanese great Shohei Ohtani and his childhood fascination with the Dodgers. Wouldn’t you pick the Dodgers if you were him?
Dombrowski also mentioned that the team tried to sign a few closer to home (Robert Stephenson?) or more experienced relievers and depth starters (Jacob Junis or Jordan Hicks?).
Johan Rojas Will Probably Begin
Johan Rojas struggled terribly at the plate in October, and the general staff didn’t seem ready to give him a starting outfield spot when the Phillies’ elimination from the NLCS was still fresh in everyone’s memories. Dombrowski has stated that Rojas’ grasp on the starting centre field position is becoming increasingly solid over the course of the last few months.
Will Johan Rojas be a starter?
"Likely, yes. Definitively, no.
"I think he can do enough offensively…and when you add his speed in there and his defense, he becomes a real plus."
— Dave Dombrowski on the @WIPMorningShow pic.twitter.com/3LXp1a8Uus
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) February 7, 2024
Dombrowski talked about the choice to bench Rhys Hoskins in favour of playing Schwarber in left field instead of moving him to designated hitter. He pointed out that Schwarber’s knees truly keep him from playing in the outfield frequently and that the team was better overall because of the value of Rojas’ defence in centre field and Marsh’s move to left.
It’s difficult to argue against that tactic. However, choosing Rojas is a risk. In the here and now, Adam Duvall or Tommy Pham probably make them a little bit better, but Rojas has more upside.
Giving Young Players’ Playtime Priority
Dombrowski also stated unequivocally that the Phillies want to offer young players an opportunity to contribute at the major league level as part of the team’s ethos. That includes Rojas, No. 5 starter Cristopher Sanchez, and reliever Orion Kerkering.
When it comes to the outfield, some players wind up saying, “We want to be your centre fielder, we want to be your left fielder,” when you try to sign them. To be honest, we are unable to give Rojas the opportunity at this time. Nevertheless, we keep an eye on things every day, so you never know what can transpire.
Dombrowski remarked, “I can’t tell you that somebody doesn’t come along and you say, ‘Hey, that’s an opportunity you can’t turn down.'”
For a long time, we have demanded that the Phillies improve their homegrown player development in order to support the team and extend their window of competitiveness. They expect to carry on in that vein with the talented Rojas, Kerkering, and Sanchez, at least in the early going of the ’24 season, having done so successfully with Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm.
For 2024, Andrew Painter is out.
Inquiries concerning the recovery from Tommy John surgery last season of the Phillies’ top prospect, one of the best young right-handed pitchers in the game, were also directed at Dombrowski.
“Painter’s recovery is progressing well.Right now, he should be just tossing; that’s where he should be. This year, I don’t really expect Andrew to throw. My eyes are focused on 2025. You never know, I suppose, but I don’t want to put him under that kind of pressure.
For some reason, this infuriated some fans who thought Painter would be able to pitch this season for reasons that are beyond comprehension.
Yes, Painter and the Phillies agreed to wait three months to see if his elbow, which started to bother after his first spring training game, could be fixed with rest and rehabilitation. It’s feasible that he may have played in minor league games in 2024 if he had had the operation done sooner.
It was never likely that Painter would pitch for the Phillies this season once he was wounded, even when rest and rehabilitation didn’t work and the operation wasn’t performed until late July. It’s also crucial to keep in mind that Painter would have been 21 years old during this season, and that by the time spring training 2025 gets underway, he will almost certainly be 22.
There is no cause for concern regarding the Painter timeline, and this was not handled incompetently. This season, they don’t need him in the starting lineup. The wisest course of action is to use caution and care.
No News Regarding Extensions
Their best right-hander, Zack Wheeler, is a free agent at the end of the season if the two parties are unable to come to an agreement on an extension.
"Well, we would love to sign Zack today if we could. I think it's important we re-sign him. I think he's one of the best pitchers in baseball…I know Wheels loves it in Philadelphia."
— Dombrowski on re-signing Zack Wheeler
(@WIPMorningShow) pic.twitter.com/HRjli1xLxG
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) February 7, 2024
Obviously, the team’s top objective is to sign Wheeler to a deal; however, as Matt Gelb pointed out in a story published last month, the team must wait until the spring for the agreement to avoid counting against their 2024 luxury tax statistics.
Zack Wheeler and the Phillies are still anticipated to discuss a possible contract extension this spring. (By delaying until the spring, there would be no 2024 luxury tax implications from a possible new contract.)
What about Bryce Harper, the reporter, who would like to add five more years to the eight years left on his original 13-year contract?
"He's in a situation where you can always desire or want—anybody can—anything that they like.
"One way I would just say it…we're thrilled that he's on board. We know that he's a Phillie for eight more years."
— Dombrowski on Harper reportedly wanting an extension pic.twitter.com/50jNJjsdzy
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) February 7, 2024
Stated differently, “We’ll call you; don’t call us.”
In conclusion, Dave Dombrowski thinks that this club is already very good. He counts himself as having five excellent starting pitchers. He thinks his lineup is among the greatest in baseball, and he has six pretty outstanding relief relievers.On every point, he is correct.
And while he seems willing to lock someone down if the opportunity cost becomes too good to refuse, he is also at ease with the Phillies starting 2024 with a roster that almost mirrors that of the team that concluded 2023.
