Dombrowski Maps Phillies’ World Series-Focused Offseason Plans

Dave Dombrowski did not dress up the Phillies’ finish. After an October that ended with their quickest playoff departure in five years, the club’s president of baseball operations said the standard remains a World Series title—and that 2026 fell well short of it.

The 9-19 opening stretch cost Rob Thomson his job. Don Mattingly took over and will return as manager in 2027, with Philadelphia playing at one of baseball’s best clips after the change. But the season’s larger problems remained: the offense, defense and bullpen all finished in the lower third of the league, and the Phillies were eliminated in the National League Wild Card Series.

No plan to trade the rotation or core veterans

Dombrowski said the club will not look to solve its issues by dealing its deepest strength, the starting rotation. He also made clear that Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and J.T. Realmuto are not being shopped.

“Could you make things work around that? Maybe,” Dombrowski said. “But we are not trying to move those players.”

That stance leaves Philadelphia with a crowded payroll, even as Alec Bohm, Luis Arraez and José Alvarado reach free agency. Dombrowski acknowledged that the roster construction is his responsibility, while noting that managing partner John Middleton and ownership have consistently supported baseball operations. The club has not yet established its final 2027 payroll, but Dombrowski said it retains room to add players without necessarily chasing only the most expensive options.

Lineup needs more than two steady bats

Harper and Schwarber were the only regular Phillies hitters to post an OPS+ above league average. Bryson Stott came close at 98, and Dombrowski pointed to the infielder’s productive June through August as evidence that there is more offense available.

“I don’t see why he cannot be that kind of player consistently,” Dombrowski said of Stott.

Turner and Realmuto endured difficult offensive seasons, while Brandon Marsh made the All-Star team before fading after the break. Bohm and Arraez, meanwhile, enter the winter as free agents after below-average offensive years.

The Phillies dismissed hitting coach Kevin Long on Wednesday and will seek a replacement. They also intend to manage the workload of their older regulars more carefully. Harper is slated to remain the primary first baseman, though he has told Dombrowski he can handle occasional duty in right field. Dombrowski would like Schwarber to make roughly 30 starts at first, creating designated-hitter days for Harper.

Realmuto’s usage is also expected to change. Philadelphia needs a stronger backup catcher, and the club does not plan to have Realmuto start more than 120 games behind the plate.

“My aim is to cut down the number of games you have to catch,” Dombrowski said he told Realmuto in a recent phone conversation.

Dombrowski said outside help will be needed, but he also cited Aidan Miller as a possible internal contributor. Miller is Philadelphia’s No. 2 prospect and ranks No. 59 overall in baseball. The executive was careful not to place the expectation entirely on Miller, but said the healthy infielder compares favorably with the young players who reached the majors and made an impact this season.

Rotation is a foundation, bullpen remains the repair job

Philadelphia considers its rotation one of the game’s best, though Dombrowski said the organization needs greater starting-pitching depth. Top pitching prospect Gage Wood could become part of that answer, but the system requires more coverage behind its frontline arms.

The bullpen is the sharper offseason concern. Injuries to Brad Keller and Caleb Kilian damaged the club’s relief depth. Orion Kerkering was sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in September, and Alvarado struggled enough that a return appears unlikely. Tim Mayza has signed a one-year deal and will be back.

Dombrowski also spoke favorably of right-handers Jonathan Bowlan and Alex McFarlane as options who could factor into the relief picture.

Better use of information is part of the offseason call

While clubs such as the Brewers, Rays and Dodgers continue deep into the postseason with reputations for incorporating analytics throughout their operations, Dombrowski said Philadelphia’s analytics group provides strong work. His concern is making certain that information is used more effectively by the rest of the organization.

He pointed to the department’s close work with pitching coach Caleb Cotham and said the Phillies are viewed as progressive on the pitching side. The next step, he said, is ensuring that coaches, players and decision-makers consistently turn that information into better choices.

“That is not on the analytics staff,” Dombrowski said. “We have to do a better job of stressing it and applying it ourselves.”

Dombrowski expects to remain in Philadelphia

Dombrowski is expected to receive a contract extension, whether it has already been completed or is still forthcoming. He declined to discuss terms, but said he intends to lead the Phillies’ baseball operations group for the long haul.

“I want to keep doing this job,” he said. “I expect to be here for quite a while. I enjoy the work, I’m healthy, and I have good people around me.”

The Phillies do not appear headed for a teardown or a dramatic trade of a star. Their winter is more likely to be about finding better complementary position players, protecting their veterans with more rest, rebuilding the bullpen and turning a talented rotation into the base of a more complete club.