As the new year gets rolling, the Philadelphia Phillies might be done making moves to improve the roster heading into the 2025 season. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski basically said as much in a recent media session. We can hope for more shuffling around the edges, but it appears the Phillies are ready to get the season underway with the assembled talent.
While that doesn't lend itself to an exciting six weeks leading up to the beginning of training camp, there's still plenty of Phillies-related news to parse through — including former Phillies news.
Jeff Hoffman's reported asking price puts Phillies out of the running
Phillies fans are still holding out a slim sliver of hope that a miracle reunion with right-hander Jeff Hoffman will materialize. Unfortunately, at this point, it would require a miracle for a reunion with the fan-favorite reliever.
According to The Athletic's Matt Gelb, the former Phillies bullpen stalwart is looking for something similar to what Clay Holmes received (subscription required) from the New York Mets.
“Jeff Hoffman, a trusted presence in the Phillies bullpen, is still a free agent. Hoffman is said to be seeking a deal similar to the one Clay Holmes scored with the New York Mets. He signed for $38 million over three years.”
Roughly $12 million per season is a reasonable ask, especially if Hoffman reverts back to a starter with a new team, as rumors have hinted might happen, per ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. But for a bullpen arm, it's out of the Phillies' price range. The 2025 payroll has already ballooned past the $301 million top luxury tax threshold, and the front office seems comfortable with the personnel currently on the roster. More additions via free agency, including Hoffman, seem like a pipe dream.
Johan Rojas wins Dominican League Rookie of the Year Award
A current Phillies player who still has much to prove heading into 2025 is Johan Rojas. The talented defensive center fielder struggled at the plate again in 2024 but has been performing well in the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM).
He has been so good that he was named the Rookie of the Year, as reported by Phillies Tailgate on X.
He has also been redrafted by the Tigres del Licey for the semifinals after his Gigantes del Cibao team was eliminated after the regular season. Rojas finished the season hitting .295 with a .382 on-base percentage and a perfect 23-for-23 in stolen bases over 27 games.
Jesús Luzardo should help Phillies neutralize left-handed hitters
The Phillies added to their already top starting rotation when they traded for lefty Jesús Luzardo before Christmas. If he returns to his 2022-23 form, it makes the Phillies starting five arguably the best in the majors. In any case, he'll be a better option than Taijuan Walker.
One stat that jumps out at you is his performance against left-handed hitters since entering the league in 2019. While facing 453 lefty batters in his career, the southpaw has surrendered just 10 home runs — eight as a starting pitcher versus 407 batters — holding those batters to a .228 batting average and .368 slugging percentage.
Jesús Luzardo has given up just 10 HRs in 413 career ABs against left-handed hitters.
— Luke Arcaini (@ArcainiLuke) December 23, 2024
With those numbers against lefties, Luzardo should fit right in at Citizens Bank Park with the Phillies' other left-handed starters, Ranger Suárez (seven homers versus 551 left-handed batters) and Cristopher Sánchez (two home runs versus 310 batters).