The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder Max Kepler over the winter with the initial intention of making him their everyday left fielder. Things have changed since then, and now the 32-year-old Kepler is unhappy with his current platoon role (subscription required), per Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson has managed the club since taking over from Joe Girardi since his firing mid-season in 2022. He's dealt with a lot of questions and criticism regarding roster construction and if he's giving his players the best chance to win every day and some of that criticism has come directly from one of their own players in Kepler. His comments became public about his role with the team and Thomson shared his own thoughts on the situation.
According to MLB.com's Paul Casella, Kepler's recent gripe has been the inconsistencies in playing time facing left-handed pitchers and days off in general. He was under the impression he would play every day, and his inability to do so has led to his offensive shortcomings.
"I think I play my best game when I'm getting routine and consistent playing time," Kepler said, per Casella. "I've always gone through my ruts and I've gone through my hot streaks -- some might say I'm a streaky hitter. But the hardest thing to do in this game, for me, is go out and play with inconsistent opportunities."
Phillies manager Rob Thomson doesn't mince words in response to Max Kepler's complaints about playing time
Kepler signed a one-year, $10 million deal over the offseason and with it being already three months in, he's given the Phillies a .213 batting average, .687 OPS, nine home runs and 28 RBIs in 73 games. Kepler didn't have the highest of ceilings coming in, but this is worse than what they expected. Thomson understands the frustration of getting a day off, but it's just another part of the game to work through.
"I hear the whole rhythm thing, and my response -- what I do tell these guys -- is if you think that by having a day off, it's going to ruin your rhythm, well, it probably will," Thomson said, per Casella. "So you've got to figure that out and keep working and keep grinding and trust your ability.”
Thomson was also asked if he will continue to platoon going forward, to which he was non-committal. Kepler hasn't been blowing the cover off the ball, which gives Thomson understandable pause, but to also complain over not playing every day seems a bit of a reach.
"I trust Max. I really do," Thomson said. "And he's started, what, 60 games for us? So I kind of consider that a starter myself. But I see where the frustration is, because these guys want to play -- and that's a good thing."
The Phillies want to see Kepler get the at-bats to prove himself, but the production hasn't been there to earn an every-day designation. He's getting his fair share of chances, he just has to be better. Second baseman Bryson Stott and outfielder Brandon Marsh have also been given the platoon treatment, but they've handled the situation the best way they can and have played much better. Kepler is only signed this year, so if he can't figure it out soon, the Phillies could have another name penciled in before we know it.