Two Key Phillies' Futures May Hinge On What Happens Rest of Season
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The Philadelphia Phillies have a lot riding on the rest of the season and the playoffs with several prominent figures.
Dave Dombrowski had to set up his manager and roster for postseason success as the Phillies have collapsed in the playoffs early the last few years. Marcus Hayes from The Philadelphia Inquirer believes Rob Thomson's job could be on the line, as well Kyle Schwarber's chances of sticking around after this year.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 07: Rob Thomson #59 and Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies embrace in a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park on April 07, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 07: Rob Thomson #59 and Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies embrace in a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park on April 07, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More"It will take a deep playoff run to assure the future of manager Rob Thomson, who, after a trip to the World Series, has piloted consecutive playoff collapses," wrote Hayes. "It might take similar postseason success to entice pending free agent Kyle Schwarber to return, regardless of how economical or extravagant his next contract is."
Schwarber continues to turn heads as he builds his market value with every game he plays. That doesn't exactly help Philadelphia to get a hometown discount, and an early crash from the playoffs wouldn't help him either.
As for Thomson, getting the team to the postseason three years in a row isn't easy, but it's an expectation for Dombrowski. The organization could go in a different direction simply to try and create a bigger spark.
"How things go the rest of August and September, and how far the Phillies make it in October, will probably tell the tale for the manager, the second baseman, the third baseman, the designated hitter, the No. 3 starter, the former closer, and one of the setup guys (the good one)," wrote Hayes.
Other players such as Bryston Stott and Alec Bohm could be shown the door as well. However, none of the others compare to the impact of losing Thomson and Schwarber if things go south.
More MLB: Phillies Players Admit New Closer Jhoan Duran Makes Their Jobs Much Easier
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