The Phillies are keeping manager Rob Thomson in place for the 2026 season, but there are still some potentially notable changes coming to the roster. Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suarez and J.T. Realmuto are among the team’s most notable free agents. Zack Wheeler’s health outlook is a question mark after he required thoracic outlet surgery. With Suarez and Wheeler’s status uncertain at best and Aaron Nola coming off an ERA north of 6.00, Philadelphia’s rotation isn’t the typical powerhouse to which we’ve become accustomed in recent seasons.
First and foremost, it sounds as though retaining Schwarber will be one of the top’s top priorities — if not the very top item on president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski’s to-do list. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that executives with other clubs expect owner John Middleton to do whatever it takes to keep Schwarber in the City of Brotherly Love. Matt Gelb of The Athletic suggests that Schwarber, who’ll turn 33 next spring, is planning to seek a five-year contract in free agency.
That’d be unheard of for a designated hitter at his age, but Schwarber’s 2025 season was the best of his career. He clubbed an NL-best 56 home runs en route to a .240/.365/.563 slash. Schwarber topped the century mark in both runs scores and runs driven in for a third consecutive season.
Schwarber’s 14.9% walk rate was 6.5 percentage points higher than the 8.4% league average, and while Schwarber’s 27.2% strikeout rate was also considerably higher than average (22.2%), it was also his lowest since 2021. The NL home run leader has also made immense gains against left-handed pitching in recent seasons, shedding platoon concerns that followed him earlier in his career. Schwarber was actually better against lefties than righties, hitting same-handed opponents at a .252/.366/.598 against clip.
If one were to set MLBTR’s Contract Tracker to show the number of position players commanding a five-year free agent deal beginning in their age-33 season, well … there aren’t any. In fact, the only free agent hitters in the past decade to sign even a four-year deal beginning at age 33 or later are Ben Zobrist ($56MM), Starling Marte ($78MM) and Josh Donaldson ($92MM). All are at least four years old now (10, in Zobrist’s case), and Schwarber is coming off such a prodigious offensive showing that he should top all of them with ease.
Gelb also suggests that Realmuto is expected to seek a three-year deal — a hefty ask considering he’ll turn 35 next spring. Again, looking to our Contract Tracker to find catchers who signed for three or more guaranteed years beginning with their age-35 season (or older) reveals only two: Carlos Ruiz’s three-year, $26MM deal to return to the Phillies all the way back in 2013 and Yadier Molina’s three-year, $60MM extension back in 2017.
Realmuto showed in 2025 that there’s still plenty left in the tank, but his days as a premium all-around catcher also look to be in the past. His .257/.315/.384 batting line was 6% worse than league-average, by measure of wRC+, but still checked in a bit better than that of the average catcher, specifically. He’s still plus when it comes to controlling the run game (29.7% caught-stealing rate), but Realmuto has now registered negative blocking grades (according to Statcast) in consecutive seasons and has seen his once-vaunted framing grades decline sharply.
The market offers little in the way of starting-caliber catchers, which could work to Realmuto’s benefit. Victor Caratini and Danny Jansen are arguably the most notable alternatives on the open market. The former has posted nice rate stats in the batter’s box but has primarily operated as a backup. The latter has now had back-to-back poor seasons at the plate. Potential non-tenders (e.g. Jonah Heim, Joey Bart) could add some change-of-scenery candidates to the list of options, and the trade market will surely offer a few names to ponder (e.g. Ryan Jeffers, Jake Rogers, Ivan Herrera).
Turning to Suarez, he made no secret of his hope to remain in Philadelphia. MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki writes that the left-hander was among the last players to leave the clubhouse after the 2025 season ended. He told reporters at the time: “I don’t want it to be the last year with the team.”
The 30-year-old Suarez has been a rock in the Philly rotation, averaging 26 starts per season across the past four years and pitching to a 3.59 ERA in that time. He’s been even better in the playoffs, with a sub-2.00 ERA in his postseason career. Suarez doesn’t throw especially hard, sitting 91-92 mph with his sinker, but he still consistently posts better-than-average strikeout, walk and ground-ball rates.
As it stands, the Phillies’ rotation will include Nola, Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo. The team hasn’t yet provided a timetable for Wheeler’s recovery from his thoracic outlet procedure. Taijuan Walker is signed for $18MM in 2026, but the Phillies would probably welcome the opportunity to shed the some or all of that remaining sum. Top prospect Andrew Painter could make his long-awaited debut next year, but he posted uneven minor league results in his return from Tommy John surgery. Mick Abel was traded to the Twins in the Jhoan Duran swap.
Retaining Suarez would go a long way toward solidifying a rotation with an atypical number of red flags, but the Phillies already project for a nearly $228MM payroll before making any additions or bringing back any potential free agents (via RosterResource). It’s hard to imagine them keeping all three of those prominent impending free agents — particularly when there are other needs elsewhere on the roster.
The Phillies have become a team that lives and dies by its aging core.
As do most teams.
@The Raven
Not really. Most contenders are getting younger, not older. The Phillies are one of the few still leaning hard on a veteran core, while teams like the Orioles and Braves are built around players in their 20s.
And both weren’t even in the hunt.
Not sure if the Orioles and Braves are the best examples to use
@camdenyards46
Which is the best example to use?
It wasn’t his analogy it was yours lol, why are you asking him?
Don’t use Teams 10+ games under 500 and call them contenders. Most High Spending Contenders tend to “NOT” get younger because they lose picks by signing Free Agents. They trade younger potential starters to “Win Now”.
They will then reset, not sing big FAs so they get more picks and let their younger players develop.
Of course, sustained long-term success does involve keeping cheap controllable talent….
A Better Example for you would be the Tampa Devil Rays…
But it’s hard to replicate….Trade every player as soon as they start to get expenive for new young prospects. Takes incredible scouting and development and a willingness ot have many bad years to go with the good.
York – Let’s face it …. if not for the fluke situation with Wheeler, Phillies are probably still playing.
And if not for a tidal wave of injuries earlier in the season, the Dodgers would have won 120 games, had home field, and blown the Phils off the field.
Did you have to go there, Seam?
seam – Not the same thing.
Coming into this season the Dodgers knew several of their star players had injury concerns. Wheeler was an absolute workhorse from 2018-2024, you can’t possibly compare him to Glasnow who has never started more than 22 games, Snell who has pitched more than 128 innings only once since 2018, Ohtani coming off surgery, Kershaw and May coming off multiple surgeries, and even Roki had injury issues when he signed with the Dodgers.
They should be home.
I agree. Going into the playoffs I felt like the only team losing Wheeler and Alvarado really would hurt us against was LA. We had the staff to get by against any of the other NL teams but losing Wheeler who is well, Zach Wheeler and Alvarado who just always seems to confuse the Dodgers was a big ask.
@Fever Pitch Guy
I thought they had a good chance to win but the bats went cold against the Dodgers. Wheeler might have helped but the Dodgers seem to just grind you forever. They’ve got SPs coming out of the bullpen and bench players to attack you with. Everyone was blaming that one RP from the Phillies but the real blame should be on the offense that didn’t bother to show up.
York – I wouldn’t fault any team that loses a series in which they face on the mound Ohtani, Snell, Glasnow and Yamamoto.
@Fever Pitch Guy
You gotta beat the best to be the best.
Didn’t realize wheeler hit too
Their starters did well in the playoffs, the problem was the lack of offense and secondarily the bullpen.
@OY – Sure, the Phillies core is aging, but they have also gotten better overall production from their FA contracts than most teams.
They made the ownership decision to spend big in the interim while they rebuilt the organization from the ground up following the end of the glory years and the disastrous Klentak Interregnum, and as a fan I certainly appreciate that. They are now in transition mode and can no longer solve every gap with large, longer term deals…nor should they.
But they still have a really good core as they attempt to navigate the next few years. Nothing is guaranteed, as health determines what happens to every team in the long run. But they are still well-positioned to compete if they can continue to make sensible moves while they hopefully have enough farm system impact to make everyone else better (including the payroll).
Schwarber, Harper, and Wheeler were three of the best signings in franchise history. Maybe Clifff Lee, Jason Werth, and Jim Thome are as good but that’s about it. Realmuto’s contract worked out well too. Rarely have you seen a team spend big bucks so smartly, despite the comment about “stupid money.”
Your absolutely right. No influx of youth coming in. Need a shortstop? Get Turner. Need a DH? Sign Schwarber. The Mets do the same thing but there is a lot more youth in New York. I know Philly fans are going to jump my sh@? for saying it but it’s what I see. Dombroswki hasn’t built much and even back when in Montreal he was trading not developing.
If the Braves rebound Phillies are truly in trouble. Let’s remember what happens to every Dombroswki team after their window closes. Could be the mid 2010’s all over again in the city of brotherly love.
matt – Dombrowski built strong farm systems with both the Expos and Marlins. He could certainly do it again, depending on ownership’s wishes.
This is a media created theory regarding dombrowski. Detroit is where the reputation and it was because they were trying to win a tittle before their owner died. Florida demanded he get rid of payroll and helped build 03 champs.
it’s been between 20-30 years since Dombo had a strong farm system. at this point it’s rather doubtful he could do it again.
That song is getting old.
robbie thompson, forever gigante
Different Rob Thompson.
Yep. One with a p, one without. In retrospect, I’m wondering whether I should remove the comment. Yikes.
What’s it going to take to resign Kyle Schwarber? Years and total dollars?
A pen.
@BaseballFan2222
10 year, $1.00 + some money deferred to 2050.
Starts at 5/$150 million….Reds are going to go in on him…I believe the Mets will as well
I heard rumors the Reds were going all in for Jarren Duran. Pipe dreams?
No disrespect meant but all teams like the Reds do for top tier free agents is increase the cost. Francona is a difference maker but let’s be honest. Like Soto with the Mets and the Japanese stars with the Dodgers, we know Schwarber is not leaving Philadelphia.
KS will take less money to play for the Phillies over the Mets.
Less money” Do you know this for a fact?
He would have no reason to take that. He can get seven figures on a four-year deal.
I don’t think there’s a chance the Reds even get their feet wet on Schwarber. They should lock up their young pitching first.
I would offer him either 4/110 or 5/125. If someone offers more I would beat that, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he took one of those offers.
Wonder if the Mets will make a strong push for Ranger Suarez. Dual effect of improving the pitching staff and taking away from a division rival. I know Stearns doesn’t pay big for pitching but it would be a good move.
Considering the young started they had to bring up because of injuries, I don’t know if they really need to seek out a decent starter in his early 30s like Ranger.
I hear that, but I still would try. It’s difficult because the Mets have a lot of starters under contract next year but aside from McLean, none jump out as great just yet. They have Peterson, Senga, Manaea, Holmes, Sproat, Tong, and Christian Scott as potential parts of a rotation. But they all have question marks. Suarez would be a solid and consistent part of the rotation. They can’t run back what they did last season.
Schwarbs to Cincy!
Phillies are like the Yankees, an aging core whose window is closing or closed. Both teams need an overhaul.
Trade Alec Bohm for Trevor Story straight up and move Story to 3rd Base. Left Kyle Schwarber walk. He’s a DH
Stories got a bad arm for third base he’s more suited for second pace
The Red Sox would not do that.
Why?
It seems 2222 posted that comment for no other reason than because they could.
Or maybe it was the possible answer to the question, “what’s a trade neither org would do or have any interest in doing?”
A 25/25/100 3rd baseman might be the piece Philly needs to win it all next year and the Red Sox need a righty at 1st base. Could be a win win
Dombrowski gonna ride this team hard and put em’ up wet. Gonna be a bunch of 40 yr old guys making big money.
It would make sense for Philly to trade for Trevor Story (and move him to 3rd base) than resign Schwarber.
Kyle Schwarber is Jose Bautista. If you want to win now, sign him with the contract backslide in mind. I predict four years with a vesting option or team option with a high buyout.
Along with those 3 pieces, Romano, Bader, Kepler and Robertson are on the market. Somebody has to figure out what to do with Walker and Castellanos. Weston Wilson and Otto Kemp aren’t placeholders. Harper needs to fix himself and Marsh can’t hit a halfway decent LHP. I think they may regret trading Ohoppe and Abel.
Abel I’m fine with losing because playoff blunder aside Duran is a top end closer. But I do agree O’Hoppe in the marsh package hurt.
How so? Marsh has been far and away the MUCH better player since the trade. O’Hoppe was worth negative WAR last year.
O’Hoppe may eventually be a nice player, but marsh is clearly the better player this far.
O’Hoppe has the potential to be a really good every day catcher in the majors. That’s harder to find than what Marsh is.
I doubt he will ever be really good. His defense is still iffy and while he has some power, all his other hitting metrics lead to a very poor WAR.
The Phils have a couple much better prospects, though none ready for 2026…..Which is why Realmuto will likely be back at a number that reflects his current ability…which is much better than O’hoppe. Maybe in O’Hoppes’ Age 26 years he figures it out…who knows.
But Marsh has consistently provided good numbers. He did hurt his knee during ST this year, which likely explains is terrible April…Hurt and limited ST practice. But after April he was his consistent good player.
Bader should be re-signed. Whether they can or can’t get rid of Castellanos, Marsh still would have a platoon role. I think Crawford should play every day starting from Opening Day, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they sent him down to manipulate his service time a little more.
They might regret trading O’Hoppe at some point, but Marsh has been a much better player than him since the trade. O’Hoppe probably has a higher ceiling so we shall see.
I’ve said many places the only guys I know are in the lineup next year are Trea and Bryce. I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone else was a new face. I would non tender Bohm if can’t find a trade match. Try to move Marsh in some deal, release Casty. Stott I don’t think is a starter bc of the bat but I’d keep him around as a bench guy if possible. Can play great defense at 2nd and ss to spell Trea and fill in as a starter until/if Miller is ready
@ PF215 – Look around the league – the FA list is rather weak and the trade market will be expensive and is hardly filled with high end quality. The Phils are in a competitive window until they are not so they are not looking to do a fire-sale. They are looking to get better, not take a big step back.
They are in a transitional mode in the sense that they are looking to Painter / Crawford / Miller in the near term to hopefully filter in and make an impact. They would love to get younger elsewhere as well, but they won’t make wholesale changes. Hopefully a couple of surgical strikes to alter the mix, and some intelligent depth moves to raise the floor as well.
You misunderstand me. I don’t necessarily want them to do this, just between the free agents in the lineup, and the performances of the non Trea/Bryce players, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a completely different lineup. for various reasons.
My ideal scenario is Schwarber comes back, JT signs for a reasonable number and finishes it up here. Casty I want gone. I’d be ok with Marsh back but it’s definitely not a 0% chance he is a trade piece. Bohm it’s time to move on from, and I said my piece about Stott already
@PF215 – Your quote “I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone else was a new face”. Not much to misunderstand there. The odds of 6 new position players on a team that is not being torn down to the studs are astronomical. It is hard to make deals, so to try to remain competitive while almost totally revamping the starting lineup is almost impossible.
There will be changes for sure. They probably unload Casty; hopefully Crawford is here in April and they are trying to figure out how to move Bohm and replace him. They probably shop Marsh and Stott but it takes an incredible amount of effort to do that many deals unless you are unloading, rather than re-loading.
They would have to pay down at least $10 million and maybe as much as $15 million of his contract, but they don’t have to release Castellanos to move on from him. Max Kepler signed last offseason for one year, $8 million as a bounceback candidate without near the track record Castellanos has. I could see him doing well on the Guardians or Royals, where he’d be one of their best hitters even if he only repeated his 2024 season.
I think they’ll be gauging Bohm’s trade market while they consider whether to tender him a contract or not. I think Sosa has outplayed Bohm and Stott and deserves to start over either of them, but they’re more likely to bring back Stott at $5 million than Bohm at $10 million. Bohm and Castellanos both seem like players who are more suited to a Midwestern team, the pressure of being in a big Northeastern market has gotten to both of them multiple times.
Yet another WRONG LINK to Ivan Herrera. Do you not care about accuracy????????????
You can just point it out calmly it’s not a big deal
needs more question marks
Some trolls need perfect free content. They can’t be typing Ivan in on B-REF and selecting Herrera from the drop down option. Nope, that is way too much work for free content!
I feel the addition of alternating exclamation marks would improve it as well
Schwarber will get paid by someone. The question is how much he will save on his car insurance.
Long time Phillies fan here, and I wouldn’t sign Schwarber to more than three years or realmuto to more than two. We are simply too old and bringing nothing those guys back DOES mean keeping the core. Which collapses each fall.
Red Sox should simply go “All In” this year while the window with young talent is high.
Sign Schwarber back, sign Alonso, and sign Peralta or trade for Ryan. Trade Yoshida and Duran.
Red Sox lineup 2026
1. (L) Roman Anthony – LF
2. (R) Alex Bregman – 3B
3. (L) Kyle Schwarber – DH
4. (R) Pete Alonso – 1B
5. (L) Wilyer Abreu – RF
6. (R) Trevor Story – 2B
7. (L) Marcelo Mayer – SS
8. (R) Ceddanne Rafaela – CF
9. (R) Carlos Narvaez – C
Reserves
1. (R) Romy Gonzalez
2. (R) Kristian Campbell
3. (R) Connor Wong
4. (R) Jhostynxon Garcia
Pitchers
1. Garrett Crochet – LHP
2. Freddy Peralta – RHP (or Ryan) RHP
3. Brayan Bello – RHP
4. Peyton Tolle – LHP
5. Connelly Early – LHP
Relief Pitchers
1. Justin Slaten – RHp
2. Patrick Sandoval – LHP
3. Kyle Harrison – LHP
4. Zack Kelly – RHP
5. Justin Wilson – LHP (need to resign)
6. Garrett Whitlock – RHP (8th inning)
7. Aroldis Chapman – LHP (Closer)
Traded Players:
1. Jaren Duran
2. Rob Refsnyder
3. Masataka Yoshida
4. Tristan Casas
Not Resigned / Optioned
1. Nate Eaton
2. Nick Sogard
3. David Hamilton
4. Nathaniel Lowe
5. Steven Matz
6. Dustin May
7. Hunter Dobbins
8. Lucas Giolito
This team would be a very difficult team to beat and get Boston fans very excited.
So you blow over the cap for a year or two, but lead the league in runs scored and top 5 in ERA, while holding on to some solid young talent to build on for the future.
Refsnyder is a free agent, they can’t trade him. And they should re-sign him to platoon with Abreu, who can’t hit lefthanders.
My bad. For some reason I thought he had signed a two year deal. You are correct. He’s a free agent. They have plenty of young good bats in the minors could fill in, line the Password.
I think it would be hard to get short-side platoon bats better than Refsnyder and Gonzalez. Refsnyder’s walk rate is stellar. But I know Refsnyder considered retiring after last year, so it’s certainly possible he won’t be back.
I believe the Sox will be real players on Schwarber. Even more than the Cubs.
I think you’re right. If he doesn’t come back to the Phillies, I think it would be the Red Sox.
Realmuto will probably get overpaid by WAR, so the decision comes down to how much the team values his handling of the pitching staff. I tend to think they had him for most of his peak and should move on, but I expect the team to re-sign him. Either way, they probably need to make two moves because they need a better backup as well. You can’t expect Realmuto to start 130 games again and he shouldn’t have started that many this year.
I think Schwarber comes back, the only players who could remotely replace his production are Alonso and Tucker. Tucker will cost way more than Schwarber, and I doubt Alonso is going to sign to be a DH only.
I would bring back Suarez at all costs, even a higher priority than Schwarber, but I think the team lets him walk.
Is Schwarber one of the top’s top tops? Topping top would be tops. Top top.
Phillies need to release Phillies Karen.
1) The Phillies priority is to sign Realmuto. He is the real backbone of this team and probably one of the team’s only real athletes. He hits when it counts, defends as well as anyone, and handles the pitching staff skillfully. However, I think there has been a lot more friction on the Phillies team than has been appreciated or reported over the past few years. So, Realmuto may not want to stay in Philly, and if he does, he will not give the Phils a hometown discount. Even if the Phils are able to extend Realmuto 3 years, they still need to trade for a reputable catcher that can share time with Realmuto behind the plate and allow Realmuto to start getting his fair share of games as a DH. The Phils don’t have the catchers to replace Realmuto internally.
2) The Phils lost Schwarber when they failed to resign him during spring training. If he had any thoughts of returning to Philly after this season, they were lost when he was booed when he left the field after his last appearance in Philly during the playoffs with the Dodgers. He will be offered more money and more years than the Phillies are willing to give him by multiple teams. He may want to return to Boston where he has played well and where the organization will probably be willing and able to top any other team’s offer. The one positive thing that Schwarber’s loss will do for the Phils is allow them to eliminate the full time DH position and create a rotating DH by committee that will allow the team’s older players to take a break from defense one game a week but still be able to hit in games.
3) Suarez has probably been dreaming of greener pastures for the past few seasons, and will probably sign with a new team that will pay more than the Phils and allow him to be the ace of their starting rotation.
4) Talk of trading Bohm is ludicrous. He’ll make $10 million next season and outplay the older Bregman and Arenado who will make three time’s Bohm’s 2026 salary. Bohm’s best days are still ahead – and there will be a lot of them.
5) The Phils need to resign Bader who gave new life to the team, offensively and defensively. $10 million a year for 2 years with a team-option year 3 will be money well spent. Bader should continue as the Phils leadoff hitter. He sparks the team more than Turner who may be a more reliable RBI man and more suited to hit 2nd, 3rd or 4th in the lineup.
6) Despite all indications to the contrary, the Phils need to keep Castellanos, but move him to left field and give him time DHing. One of the main reasons is that the Phils are not going to get back much trading him, even if they offer to pay 1/2 to 2/3 of his salary. Also, they are unlikely to find an everyday right-handed hitting outfielder who stays healthy and wants to be in the lineup every day. If the Phils show the guy a little love and some respect, he may have a great comeback year and truly help the team.
7) The Phils desperately need to make Justin Crawford one of their starting outfielders next season. The kid hit .334, with an OBP of .411 and 46 steals last season in Lehigh Valley. He hits both right and left-handed pitching well and is strong defensively. An outfield of Castellanos, Crawford, and Bader would be formidable.
8) Given the distinct possibility, Wheeler may not return in 2026, or if he does, not be as effective as he was before his thoracic outlet syndrome was discovered, the Phils need to add starting pitching. The first starter they should sign is Walker Beuhler. Even though he was released by the Red Sox and claimed by the Phils in 2025, it is my understanding that Boston still holds a $25 million option / $3 million buyout on his contract for 2026. If that is correct, Boston will probably buy out his contract for $3 million, making him a free agent, and allowing the Phils to negotiate a new 2026 contract with him.
9) Nola’s best days in Philly are long gone. Fortunately, the Phils may be able to trade him for a decent return. This may also be true of Walker, but his trade value is probably questionable.
10) The Phils have to make a decision about Painter. They need to make him a part of their rotation now, or trade him while he still has trade value.
11) As far as new acquisitions, the Phils would be making a big mistake by overspending for Tucker. He hits left-handed and is often injured. A more reasonable acquisition would be Cody Bellinger – if the Phils decide to move on from Castellanos, and if Bellinger is willing to sign a reasonable 2-3 year contract. He just declined $25 million to play for the Yanks in 2026, and although he may take less for a multi-year contract, he may not take enough less to make him a practical acquisition. Pete Alonso would be another right-handed power hitting acquisition possibility if he would agree to limit his contract to 4 years and not exceed the $25 million a year he just turned down with the Mets. Alonso’s signing would also be contingent on Harper agreeing to DH or return to the outfield, the latter of which is probably not going to happen. making either Harper or Alonso the full time DH would also eliminate the possibility of the Phils having a rotating DH by committee.
12) The Phils also need to bring Miller up to the bigs this season. That could mean trading Stott. If Miller is brought up, he should become the Phils shortstop, moving Turner to second base or possibly the outfield.
13) The Phils should retain Sosa and Kemp for their bench.
14) The Phils have to start taking better advantage of their running game and start relying less on the long ball.
15) The Phils will be forced to make a lot of changes before the 2026 season begins. Fortunately, there are ways to make the necessary changes and make the 2026 version of the Phils much stronger than its previous version.
Some good points. Long read. My ADD is all over the place.
One mountain I will stand on is the misconception of the DH position as being some sort of rest day or sitting session for the geriatric or injured. I can assure you a dedicated DH spends a great deal of time in the cage during the game. Working with the pitching and catching staff ad naseum and it is one team like a few like The dodgers also being one where the DH is viewed as an offensive specific position. A very real position that has a purpose. A very real strategy. A very real routine. And is not effective as a turnstile as a rule. That is why teams that use the position in its pure form have the highest production from that spot. Not to be taken lightly or as a throw away hole in the lineup.
Suarez wants to stay. And they should keep him because any opportunity to secure and keep a pitcher should just simply happen no question unless they aren’t making solid case in performance
JT is staying. It’s just a matter of what the contract will look like with options etc.
There is a very good chance Sosa will play everyday. It just may not be in Philly. Unfortunately for him he’s one of the only guys literally every team has no problem discussing in trade and likely so. His reputation has earned him that. Let’s hope he stays because he is never the problem.
Sometimes. And hear me out. Minor league players are not brought up too soon because of rookie status. And also.. because they may lack the mental fortitude to handle the bigs. Frankly. Philadelphia is not always a kind place to play. You will be spoken to like a sack of crap by the fans. You will need a weekly appointment with the mental health team. It’s not for everyone here. It can ruin a really really good guy. And we don’t want that to happen. And with the lofty and sometimes overly high expectations of Philly fans you just want to fold a kid into the lineup not bring him into the playoffs or mid season. It will happen in the Grapefruit League and ripen from there.
Excellent well thought out post.
Thank you, Pop.
So, it’s the softness that gets them. Interesting…
As a lifelong Dodgers fan, I have heard people say this about the Dodgers over the years. Even up to last year, people like you were saying this about the Dodgers team and fans.
The Phillies have great players and are all in on winning. They are respected on and off the field, they handle themselves well off the field and in interviews win or lose. They are constantly trying to make moves to improve the team. It’s to be applauded and respected. Can the fans be over the top at times in Philly? Yes. But so what? They are proud of a team they should be proud of. Dodgers fans can be the same at times.
If this is what you consider soft, then by all means go eat your gravel cereal breakfast before you go continue your manly day.
Not baseball related, but the newer Charles Schwab commercials using the old school financial advisor saying “Schwab!” after he loses another client to them always names me laugh.
Because every time I see a clip of Kyle Schwarber hitting another home run or batting in another RBI, I can picture as old school manager just saying “Schwarber!” in the same way. Like in his two home run game against the Dodgers last week.
Hi Dave Roberts, what did you think about the Phillies in this game? “Schwarber!”
Silly, but it cracks me up every time I see the commercial thinking about “Schwarber!”
No chance this current team will beat the ghosts of the past three seasons now. In fact the relationship between the team and fans is kinda shaken. Its fun for everyone when expectations are lower and a team like 2022 suprises…after three seasons of high expectations/high pressure it can become adversarial.
I saw this coming at the beginning of the year and thought we were looking at a similar scenario to the 2012 season and the beginning of a long dry spell, hanging on to past glory ignoring on the field performance…
Now…I believe I witnessed a repeat of 2011. Great pitching but a declining offense with a heavy reliance on the starting pitching to carry the team. Best record of the run but post season showed a vulnerability to good opposing pitching with hitters battling the high expectations to meet past performance.
Philly is a tough place to play when you start doubting yourself…
I think the window is shut…they went all in this year and honestly should just start letting go and look forward 3 or 4 seasons to avoid a prolonged lapse in play off capable teams.
I said this here at the deadline…It looked dumb, but Its what my instincts were telling me…move Shwarber and Realmuto for good prospects instead of overpaying for downhill years and nostalgia…or lose them in the off-season and get nothing…
At this point you need to bring them back if the contracts are in a reasonable range and try to bridge what will be hopefully just a gap of a season or three until we determine what the prospects like Painter and Crawford translate into as Major leaguers.
One last hope…I’m completely off base and they find a Dallas Green to get them over the hump like the 80 team did after those three playoff disasters in 76,77 and 78 and the lackluster 79 season after signing Pete Rose.
Maybe Nola finds himself again and pulls a Carlton, maybe Wheeler comes back at even 75% and gives us gutty Ruthven/Christensen innings Painter comes up and pulls a Walk or Bystrom and maybe Harper throws the team on his back and carries them across the finish line finally in Schmidt like fashion while the rest of the offense forgets about hitting everything 450 feet and starts doing the little things better…get scrappy. None of this is at all likely and this ain’t 1980 baseball…but it might be 2012 again next year..
@howie: You sound Trump Tough – all bluster and bull**it, and zero substance.
Bigly!
How about the baseball comments be about baseball.
Easier to read without the bluster and zero substance posts like the two here.
Another Dodgers Fan
3 hours ago
I feel the addition of alternating exclamation marks would improve it as well
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So – “alternating exclamation marks” must be code for “Wheel play”? ; )
So, are we still discussing softness?
Oh Howie, you’re such a rascal!
And in which desirable garden spot do you live? Probably some subdivision off of a highway surrounded by strip shopping centers and chain restaurants. Classy!
Thanks for proving my point. You’re a sad little troll, with obviously too much time on his hands.
And I’m guessing your local Oregon coast MLB team isn’t keeping you entertained. Go enjoy the beach, and stop being such a d¡ck.
Triggered. That’s cute.