Phillies President Dave Dombrowski is taking a nonchalant approach to the offseason, stating that he believes the team has found contentment with its current roster. The loss of highly touted free agent Bo Bichette was a significant blow, but Dombrowski acknowledged it as "a gut punch" before quickly moving on.
The Phillies did manage to re-sign veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto for another three years, ensuring that the core of the team remains intact from 2023 onwards. The decision has raised eyebrows, particularly given the Mets' aggressive pursuit of Bichette and their more lucrative offer. However, Dombrowski remains steadfast in his optimism about the team's prospects.
While it is uncertain whether the Phillies will pursue other notable free agents like Cody Bellinger or Framber Valdez, it seems increasingly likely that they will stick with a similar roster to last year. The re-signing of Kyle Schwarber and the addition of Adolis García in right field have helped to bolster the lineup, but concerns remain about the team's age and overall competitiveness.
The Phillies are also banking on prospect Justin Crawford to shake things up in the outfield, although his lack of experience is a significant unknown factor. For Dombrowski, the key remains finding ways to improve the roster without breaking the bank or disrupting the established chemistry within the clubhouse.
As Dombrowski aptly put it, "We have a good club, I like our club." While the team's past postseason disappointments cannot be ignored, there is certainly reason for optimism. The question now is whether this roster will finally reach its full potential, and whether Dombrowski's faith in his current team will prove to be justified come spring training.
The Phillies did manage to re-sign veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto for another three years, ensuring that the core of the team remains intact from 2023 onwards. The decision has raised eyebrows, particularly given the Mets' aggressive pursuit of Bichette and their more lucrative offer. However, Dombrowski remains steadfast in his optimism about the team's prospects.
While it is uncertain whether the Phillies will pursue other notable free agents like Cody Bellinger or Framber Valdez, it seems increasingly likely that they will stick with a similar roster to last year. The re-signing of Kyle Schwarber and the addition of Adolis García in right field have helped to bolster the lineup, but concerns remain about the team's age and overall competitiveness.
The Phillies are also banking on prospect Justin Crawford to shake things up in the outfield, although his lack of experience is a significant unknown factor. For Dombrowski, the key remains finding ways to improve the roster without breaking the bank or disrupting the established chemistry within the clubhouse.
As Dombrowski aptly put it, "We have a good club, I like our club." While the team's past postseason disappointments cannot be ignored, there is certainly reason for optimism. The question now is whether this roster will finally reach its full potential, and whether Dombrowski's faith in his current team will prove to be justified come spring training.