Top 5 promising Dave Dombrowski quotes on Phillies’ future

4. Dave Dombrowski has realistic expectations for the short- and long-term future of the Phillies.

"“I think it’s important that we build an organization that can be competitive, year in and year out. That will really be the focus, in addition to trying to win.” – Dave Dombrowski"

The assumption when the Phillies hired Dave Dombrowski was that he would immediately look to spend and make moves, whatever it takes, to formulate a championship-caliber club as soon as the 2021 season.

Dombrowski set expectations during his introductory press conference on Friday in that while the Phillies want to win in 2021 and will do what they can, they will still work within a budget and consider both the short- and long-term future.

“I don’t look at this as a situation where we are one player away from winning,” Dombrowski said. “I think we need to do a few things with this team.”

Dombrowski said it is important that the Phillies build an organization that can remain competitive year in and year out. “That will really be the focus, in addition to trying to win,” he said.

Dombrowski acknowledged the recent influx of promising, young prospects in the organization, such as Rookie of the Year Award finalist Alec Bohm, starting pitcher Spencer Howard, and the team’s top 2020 draft pick, Mick Abel.

“I really don’t want to be sacrificing people that might be part of our future success for short-term gains, if it’s not the difference-maker in trying to be a championship club,” Dombrowski said.

The Phillies and Managing Partner John Middleton inked Dombrowski to a four-year deal worth $20 million, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. They, too, realize that it will take time for Dombrowski to get the Phillies into a place where they want to be.