Robertson didn’t work out in Philly in 2019 or 2022. Maybe Dombrowski is the proponent of the “third time is the charm” theory. He better be the proponent of some kind of theory when he has to explain why he bypassed guys like Helsley, Miller, Clase, Bautista, Jansen, and Chapman to sign a 40-year-old who hasn’t pitched since 2024.
Of course, maybe adding Robertson is only the first step to filling in all the current gaps that are preventing the Phils from getting to another world series. But, if memory serves, there were other seasons when Dombrowski’s only additions before the trade deadline were a player or two who everyone thought were just the first step or two toward infusing badly needed talent into the Phils lineup.
What’s regrettable is that the Phils could probably sign Clase and Kwan or Mullins and Bautista and significantly improve the Phils immediately. The Phils have the players and prospects to make such deals, or even deals with even greater hauls.
Unfortunately, Dombrowski’s grand vision of the Phillies’ future is a confusing one. He doesn’t want to trade young talent, and so he overspends to acquire guys like Austin Hays to fill in gaps, only to replace them with overpriced guys like Max Kepler a half-season later.
In defense of Dombrowski, he probably envisions a trip to the world series in the next few years, but not this year. So, as in years past, he will go through the motions and overpay for under-talented players to get through this season, and secretly plan for next year and beyond.
His strategy will probably get him into the playoffs this season, but not very far into the playoffs. This current 2025 Phillies team, even with the addition of a marginally improved closer and outfielder, are not of world series caliber. They never were.
In all honesty, and with the realization that I may be the only one on this entire planet who would suggest such a thing, I would trade Kyle Schwarber before the trade deadline while he still has maximum trade value. There are those who would argue that trading Schwarber now, while he is at the top of his game, would squash any hopes the Phils might have of winning a world championship this season – and such fears would be justified.
However, trading Schwarber just might allow the Phils to acquire an outfielder and closer who together might be able to help the Phils more down the stretch this season than Schwarber would be capable of doing alone. The Phils have plenty of guys who could take turns DHing, but they don’t have the kind of quality closer and outfielder they might be able to obtain by trading a current asset who could help a current contender get to the world series.
It is indisputable the Schwarber is having a career year. It is also indisputable that his performance will probably allow Schwarber to command a new 4-year contract in excess of $100 million at the end of the season – a contract the Phils will unlikely be willing or able to match.
So, if the Phils can’t add a lights-out closer and slugging outfielder before the trade deadline, and if that’s what’s needed to get to the world series, and if Schwarber is gone after this season regardless of where the Phils finish, and if Dombrowski has already written off the 2025 season for the Phils, then why wouldn’t you trade Schwarber now?
A lot has been made of Schwarber hitting three home runs off a batting practice pitcher in the all-star game. Not much has been said of his 0 for 2 performance during the game.
Pete Alonso was on deck to hit if Schwarber didn’t hit the requisite number of homers to win the game. Alonso would have unquestionably hit a homer or two and won the game if Schwarber didn’t.
The difference between the two players is Schwarber was 0 for 2 in the actual all-star game while hitting against major league pitching, while Alonso hit a 3-run homer in the game. Understanding the difference between the two players is the reason you trade Schwarber now and plan the team’s future around someone like Alonso who could probably help you more.
Source link
