Rob Thomson apology hints possible Phillies blockbuster signing

Phillies manager Rob Thomson makes interesting changes to his weekend plans.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson was scheduled to meet with fans for photos and autographs on Saturday, December 3, at the popular Philadelphia Sports Card & Memorabilia Show in Oaks, Pennsylvania.

However, just as the three-day weekend event began Friday, the show’s social media accounts shared a 30-second video message from the 2022 National League Championship-winning skipper. In the video, Thomson announced he would no longer be able to attend, as he has been “called out of town”:

"“Hey, Phillies fans. Rob Thomson here. Jeez, I apologize for not being there on Saturday. I just can’t make it. Unfortunately, at the last minute, I was called out of town. I have to do some work to try to make the 2023 Phillies even better than the 2022 version. Again, I apologize. I will be there the next time. I’m sorry I let you down, but I will make it up to you. Thanks. Have a great day.”"

Thomson is instead headed to the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings, set to begin Sunday in San Diego. This video interestingly was shared not long after Jayson Stark’s report that the Phillies have meetings scheduled at the event with all four big free-agents shortstops — including Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts, Carlos Correa, and Dansby Swanson.

The Phillies skipper canceling his appearance may be a disappointment to fans, but all of that can be made up if the team lands one of these premier shortstops this offseason. It is notable that Thomson was not supposed to go to the Winter Meetings until this last-minute change of plans, as tickets for fans to meet him at the Philadelphia Sports Card & Memorabilia Show were sold online as recently as December 1. Could President of Baseball of Operations Dave Dombrowski be near a contract with one of these players and he wants Thomson there to help close the deal?

The hot stove is burning at its hottest so far this offseason. Just perhaps, one of Turner, Bogaerts, Correa, or Swanson will be wearing red pinstripes by the weekend’s end.