Phillies extend manager Rob Thomson's contract, coaching staff to return in 2025
If changes are coming in 2025 for the Philadelphia Phillies, it will not be on the coaching staff.
The Phillies have extended manager Rob Thomson's contract through the 2026 season and will bring back their major league coaching staff next season, president of baseball pperations Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday.
"He's done a good job for us. He's been a very successful manager," Dombrowski said. " There are very few clubs in baseball that have made the playoffs three years in a row. He has done that. We've been a very good club under his guidance.
"It's also one where I think stability in the manager spot — I don't think going into the manager's last year is ever a good situation to be in if you can prevent that from happening. He deserves that in that regard."
Thomson said Philadelphia is the only place he wants to be.
"I think year by year is good with me," Thomson said. "I've mentioned it many times. This is the only place I want to be, and this will be my last stop."
Dombrowski added the Phillies have an efficient coaching staff and credited the staff for helping the club reach 95 wins. He also said Thomson wanted his coaches back, too.
"They've been with us for a couple of years," Dombrowski said. "In a lot of cases, three years, and some beyond that. They're very efficient. They do their job well. We have a good manager. They work well with the manager."
Last week, the Phillies were eliminated from the MLB playoffs after losing to the New York Mets in the National League Division Series, ending their third straight October without a World Series trophy.
While the 2024 season saw the Phillies win their first NL East title since 2011 and earn a first-round bye, the club faces a pivotal offseason ahead.
Philadelphia won 95 games and entered the postseason with a roster many believed was among the favorites to win the World Series. Instead, the Phillies' bats chased junk, the bullpen imploded, and the front office was left with the same questions they had last winter.
How do the Phillies balance their lineup? The Phils finished 24th in MLB with a 30.3 chase percentage. They chased less in the first half, but once the calendar turned to July, the switch flipped, and the chasing only went up.
What happened with the bullpen? On paper, Philadelphia's bullpen was much better than 2023. The bullpen was considered one of the Phillies' strengths and advantages in the postseason. But Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman, both All-Stars this season, couldn't get outs.
Will the Phillies spend big this winter? The Phils already have $203.26 million committed to eight players for 2025. The club will surpass the competitive balance tax — the threshold is $241 million. The question is, by how much?
These are just some of the questions Dombrowski faces as the Phillies' offseason begins unexpectedly early.
Here are some other notes from Dombrowski's press conference.
Dombrowski still believes Phillies have a championship roster
Dombrowski isn't sharing trade secrets on Oct. 15. (Hint: he's not tipping his hand if the Phillies will pursue a superstar free agent, cough Juan Soto.) The Phillies' president, however, did give the club's roster a vote of confidence.
"I think it's a good club. I think it's a club that's capable of winning a world championship," Dombrowski said. "We've been close. We won 95 games. However, you're also open-minded to making adjustments. I think that's a necessity. You want to get better. You're never happy unless you win the whole thing, and we didn't win the whole thing."
"When you look at our guys, we had eight players make the All-Star team. That means you have a lot of good players. We're in a position when you talk about the veteran guys; they're really good players at this time. You're always open-minded to make adjustments however you need to be better, So that's what we'll do. We'll go into the wintertime with that mindset."
Dombrowski pinpointed the team's NLDS loss to the bats not performing.
"We didn't hit. We really didn't hit. Some of it is chase, some of it, approach," Dombrowski said. "Some of it is just guys not being hot. We'll be open-minded to see if we can make our ballclub better."
Phillies have no plans of moving Trea Turner off shortstop
Trea Turner has nine years left on his 11-year, $300 million contract, but the Phillies have no plans of moving him off shortstop yet.
Despite public data suggesting he's among the worst fielding shortstops in baseball — 17 errors, -14 Defensive Runs Saved, -3 Outs Above Average — Dombrowski said the 31-year-old Turner will be the club's shortstop in 2025.
"He will be our shortstop, yes," Dombrowski said. "But we also feel you have to be careful with some [defensive metrics]. We rely on defensive metrics, but there's also not a perfect way of describing the defensive aspects of the game, as far as we know."
Dombrowski added that Turner's defensive metrics are similar to when the club signed him.
"He does have good range. He makes really good plays at times," Dombrowski said. "But he also makes too many errors at points. But he has improved. He's worked hard, and I wouldn't be surprised if he continues to improve despite his age."
The Phillies' president pointed to Turner's athleticism and speed as why he still believes the 31-year-old can play the position.
"He's very athletic. His speed is still very good," Dombrowski said. "He's still one of the fastest guys in baseball, so I don't think you can compare his aging process to, let's say, the average player."