There's a lot to dissect when it comes to the future of the Philadelphia Phillies following this week's end-of-season press conference at Citizens Bank Park. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and manager Rob Thomson fielded questions about what went wrong this past season, and how the front office plans to fix things in 2025.
It's more than evident that there's a couple of areas to focus on that need fixing between now and when pitchers and catchers report to Clearwater in February. While many Phillies fans had pushed for a drastic overhaul of the on-field product, Dombrowski's words on Tuesday didn't offer that as part of the team's solution.
In fact, not only will Thomson and his entire coaching staff be back in 2025, but it was revealed that Thomson had just signed a contract extension that will keep him in the dugout through 2026.
NEWS: Rob Thomson has received a contract extension that will keep him in Philadelphia until the end of the 2026 season. pic.twitter.com/xRsnKOMaCV
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) October 15, 2024
While Thomson certainly made some regrettable decisions along the way this season, it was ultimately the players who didn't perform in the moments that mattered most. Firing Thomson always seemed like an extreme decision, but a sacrifice culled from his coaching ranks wouldn't have come as that big of a surprise.
While it might disappoint some of the most restless Phillies fans, the theme of this press conference wasn't one that forwarded massive change as a solution to the problems. That being said, there were some hints that the team could be heading in new directions when the discussion shifted to the team's outfield plans in 2025.
Phillies leave a lot of wiggle room for a much different outfield in 2025
The Phillies endlessly tinkered with the outfield in 2024. With the exception of Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos penciled in nearly every day, the revolving door included Johan Rojas, Whit Merrifield, David Dahl, Cristian Pache, Cal Stephenson, Kody Clemens, Austin Hays, and Weston Wilson. That's 11 players for those counting at home.
The reason for this crowded list comes down to two main factors. Marsh still can't hit enough against left-handed pitching, and Johan Rojas has yet to prove he can hit enough against MLB pitching to be considered an everyday option in center field. Dombrowski detailed the offseason plan for Rojas.
"We like Rojas but we need offensive improvement there from him," said Dombrowski. "We have a plan this winter time. He’s going to live in Clearwater. We have a plan for him from an offensive perspective … but I can’t say for sure he’s going to be our center fielder."
That mirrors Dombrowski's statements last year following Rojas' subpar showing offensively during the playoffs. Rojas clearly has room for improvement, whether that be making more contact, learning how to bunt, and learning how to take a lead and not be picked off at first base. There's also room for improvement from Rojas' occasional platoon partner Brandon Marsh.
Asked if the team had lost faith in Marsh, Dombrowski offered a simple response.
"We like Marsh still. We think he’s a good player," said Dombrowski.
With Rojas and Marsh still locked in a battle against the book that rival teams and pitching staffs have on the talented but flawed duo, does Dombrowski and the Phillies front office think trade deadline acquisition Austin Hays, if healthy, could make a bigger impact in 2025?
"We have Hays of course and we’ll have to make a decision in that regard," added Dombrowski
Reading between the lines, that doesn't sound like much of a ringing endorsement. Hays was brought in from the Orioles with the idea that he could solve the problem with the Rojas-Marsh platoon. After battling everything from a hamstring injury to a kidney infection throughout August and September, there wasn't much of a contribution to be had from the one-time All-Star. Under contract next season, Hays might be viewed as a movable asset if the team doesn't see him in the team's plans for 2025.
The most exciting development that Dombrowski spoke about had to do with top outfield prospect Justin Crawford. Crawford had an outstanding season split between High-A and Double-A, batting .313 with nine home runs, 61 RBI, and stealing 42 bases. Does Dombrowski see Crawford making his debut next season?
“Crawford is coming very fast," offered Dombrowski." I’m not sure when we go into spring training that we’re going to count on him being one of our big league starting outfielders, but he has a lot of ability. It wouldn't’ surprise me if he came in anytime.”
While nothing is certain, it doesn't appear long before Crawford will be patrolling the outfield at Citizens Bank Park. But who will be playing to the left and right side of him seems very open to debate. Like any good GM, Dombrowski didn't reveal the family recipes, and anything could change between now and the start of spring training next year.