PHILLIES DIGEST: Some of the difficult decisions awaiting Phillies Management this offseason~ With Rob Thomson Departure a possibility And…

Dave Dombrowski and Rob Thomson will take a seat at the podium in the media room Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park and field questions for the better part of an hour about the Phillies’ 2024 collapse, their mostly pathetic NLDS performance against the Mets and how they can break out of the backward trend they’ve fallen into.

Don’t expect a ton of specifics related to individual players’ futures, that’s not the style of Dombrowski or pretty much any modern executive, but neither man should be in mince-words mode after the way this season of World Series-or-bust aspirations crashed and burned.

The Phillies face plenty of questions and decisions this offseason. Among them:

How do they fix the offense?

They ran back most of the same team from 2023 to 2024 and that is unlikely to happen again, given the record payroll and finite window to win with the current core of Zack Wheeler, Bryce Harper, Aaron Nola, Trea Turner and the rest.

Harper thinks his prime can last another decade, and most players in that clubhouse will say they don’t believe the window has closed or is closing, but that’s what athletes say. Father Time doesn’t need to make his case, he strikes and that’s that. This specific group — the one that includes Wheeler, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos … all the guys not under decade-plus contracts — might have very well just watched its three best chances come and go.

The lineup has to be fixed. Left field and center field are a problem. Johan Rojas is gifted defensively but can probably only be in the lineup of a contender if the other eight spots are rock-solid. He is far down the list of who to blame for the NLDS performance but is the easiest and clearest place to start when thinking about offensive improvement in a mostly inflexible lineup.

### Addressing the Brandon Marsh Platoon Situation

The Brandon Marsh platoon situation requires careful consideration. While platoons can be effective—like the Mets’ setup with Jesse Winker and J.D. Martinez—deploying multiple platoons across several positions can be risky. This season, the Phillies experimented with platoons in three different spots, which often demands too many players to perform at their best. What sounds good in theory doesn’t always translate well on the field.

If the Phillies decide to keep Marsh as a platoon outfielder, they need a more productive partner than Austin Hays. Hays had a challenging second half due to a kidney infection and hamstring strain, but the Phillies can’t rely on him returning to form by 2025. Regardless of his recovery, they need to bolster their outfield.

### Where Do Bohm and Stott Stand?

Alec Bohm had a standout season, earning an All-Star nod and finishing with a .280 average, 44 doubles, and a .779 OPS. He performed well with runners in scoring position but struggled toward the end of the year, culminating in being benched during Game 2 of the NLDS due to poor at-bats and reactions. His benching was unexpected, raising questions about his future role with the team. With seven positions locked in, any changes to the offense will require some creativity.

After the season, Bohm indicated he believes he’ll be back with the Phillies next year, suggesting confidence in his role.

Bryson Stott, on the other hand, faced difficulties, hitting just .200 against fastballs over 93 mph after a much better .319 performance the previous season. The Phillies must quickly determine whether Stott can address his struggles against velocity, as this will be crucial for his development.

### Will Hoffman Return?

Jeff Hoffman had a stellar start to the season with a 1.65 ERA but faltered at the end, giving up 10 runs in just 2⅓ innings during the playoffs. As a free agent, his regular-season performance could earn him a lucrative contract, but after his playoff struggles, it’s uncertain if the Phillies will invest $12-13 million per year over three years. Evaluating relievers is complex; a few bad outings can overshadow a strong overall season.

With many offseason priorities ahead, the Phillies face a tough decision regarding Hoffman.

### Defensive Changes Needed?

Trea Turner has struggled defensively since joining the Phillies, committing 23 errors in 2023 and 17 errors in 2024, despite playing 35 fewer games. His errors vary from routine mistakes to errant throws. Although he remains a tremendous athlete, shortstop may not be his long-term position. If the Phillies aim to construct the best roster for 2025, moving Turner from shortstop could be a viable option.

This decision may be difficult, especially given Turner’s $300 million contract, but his underwhelming defensive performance raises questions about his fit at the position. A shift could also help him stay healthier and more effective over the course of the season.

### Behind the Plate: J.T. Realmuto and the Phillies’ Catching Situation

When the Phillies acquired J.T. Realmuto from Miami and subsequently signed him to a five-year, $115.5 million deal—set to expire after the 2025 season—he was widely considered the best catcher in baseball. However, that title has since slipped away. While Realmuto still showcases a strong all-around skill set, his offensive production has diminished.

From 2016 to 2022, Realmuto boasted a .278 batting average with an .802 OPS. In contrast, over the past two seasons, he has hit just .258 with a .757 OPS. His struggles continued in the playoffs, where he went 0-for-11, bringing his postseason batting average down to .216 and his on-base percentage to .295.

To maximize Realmuto’s effectiveness in 2025, the Phillies must prioritize keeping him fresher. He played 134, 139, and 135 games from 2021 to 2023, and would likely have approached similar numbers this season if not for a meniscus injury.

The need for a capable backup is critical—someone who can fill in for Realmuto for around 50 games without a significant drop in production. Rafael Marchan, at 25 years old, has shown promise in limited appearances, including hitting .294 during Realmuto’s absence this summer. However, Marchan has dealt with injuries throughout his minor league career and must prove he can consistently step into the backup role.

There’s also the possibility that the Phillies might consider using Marchan as a trade asset to acquire a different backup option.

As the offseason progresses, the Phillies will face numerous questions leading up to pitchers and catchers reporting to Clearwater. Many of these inquiries will likely be addressed during the upcoming end-of-year press conference with President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski and manager Rob Thomson, which comes earlier than they had anticipated.