The Philadelphia Phillies made another move — their second of the offseason — on Thursday, signing veteran outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million contract.
Bringing in the 31-year-old Kepler, who's a left-handed batter, might seem like an odd fit on the surface. However, he brings some skills the Phillies obviously liked enough to give him a chance after a down 2024 season. Battling various injuries, the 10-year veteran played in just 105 games this past season and didn't look like himself at the plate.
With a glaring need in the outfield after non-tendering Austin Hays in November, Kepler might not be the big-name addition fans were hoping for. Regardless, he's at least one piece of the puzzle for 2025. How many more moves will come remains to be seen.
The next question is: Where will Kepler slot into the Phillies lineup when next season rolls around? Based on who they have signed at the moment we can take a guess and project the lineup as we see it shaping up on Opening Day 2025.
Phillies projected Opening Day lineup after adding Max Kepler to the outfield
- DH Kyle Schwarber (L)
- SS Trea Turner (R)
- 1B Bryce Harper (L)
- RF Nick Castellanos (R)
- 3B Alec Bohm (R)
- LF Max Kepler (L)
- C J.T. Realmuto (R)
- CF Brandon Marsh (L)
- 2B Bryson Stott (L)
A lot can change between now and Opening Day, and some of these names might not be with the Phillies then. Third baseman Alec Bohm has been the most rumored name on the trade block this winter. Nick Castellanos has also been mentioned, but moving his $20 million annual salary could be a challenge.
If Castellanos is still a Phillie next spring, it will be interesting to see how the team deploys Kepler. The newest acquisition has played right and center field in his career (mostly right). Despite having never played left field, that might be the best spot for him with the current roster.
Castellanos has just 23 career appearances in left field, so moving him across the diamond at this point feels like playing with fire. He has gotten comfortable in right field at Citizens Bank Park, and while he'll never be an advanced fielding darling, he can hold his own and make the plays on the balls he gets to.
Kepler is a far superior defender, so shifting him to an unfamiliar position is still a better move. He has amassed 66 outs above average and 50 defensive runs saved in the outfield over his career.
Since debuting in 2015, Kepler leads all right fielders with 57 outs above average. With defensive chops like those, plus over 1,110 innings of experience playing center, having him pick up left field doesn't seem like a stretch.
The other question mark lies in center. With lefty Brandon Marsh the presumed choice against right-handed pitching, he gets the Opening Day nod over Johan Rojas, who isn't guaranteed a spot at this point.