The Phillies are preparing for a relatively quiet offseason, as President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski recently downplayed the likelihood of the team making a major acquisition, such as pursuing star outfielder Juan Soto. Following their NLDS loss to the New York Mets, fans hoped for clear plans to bolster the roster, but Dombrowski emphasized that Philadelphia already boasts a star-studded lineup, with eight All-Stars this season—more than any other team in the league. He acknowledged team owner John Middleton’s financial support but stressed the importance of balancing payroll concerns with future plans, making it clear that they are not necessarily seeking another marquee player this winter.
Dombrowski pointed out that while star power is valuable, success isn’t solely built on big names. Instead, it’s often the supporting cast that makes the difference, and the Phillies, despite their roster filled with high-profile talent like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, came up short this postseason. This reasoning suggests that, rather than focusing solely on adding more star players, the team may look to improve their depth and fill specific gaps with complementary pieces.
This shift in approach comes amid the broader MLB offseason, where teams like the Cardinals and Orioles could be active in the trade market, while the Phillies may focus more on maintaining balance within their current structure. While it’s not entirely off the table that the Phillies could make moves for a star player, Dombrowski’s comments imply that they’ll be cautious, prioritizing the long-term stability of the team over splashy signings. The implication is that the team believes its core is strong enough, and the path forward will involve refining the roster rather than undergoing major changes.
