The three best Philadelphia Phillies moves Dave Dombrowski has made since joining the franchise.
It didn’t take too long for the hiring of Dave Dombrowski to pay off for the Philadelphia Phillies. They already have a pennant and the team doesn’t look like it is ready to settle for a single World Series appearance.
Dombrowski joined the Phillies organization in December 2020, marking a big change to the front office. What would the man who helped two teams win championships and another get to a World Series be able to accomplish in Philadelphia?
So far, Dombrowski looks like the right hire for the Phillies. These are the three best moves he has made since coming to Philadelphia.
3) Best Phillies moves under Dave Dombrowski: Signing Kyle Schwarber
Kyle Schwarber was one of two big bats the Phillies added to their already potent lineup last offseason. Although it’s still early in his tenure, the Phillies did get the National League home run champion with this free agent signing.
Schwarber had a monster first year in Philadelphia. He ripped 46 home runs and drove in 94. Taking over as an atypical leadoff hitter, Schwarber even managed to draw a career-high 86 walks.
He wasn’t without his faults. The .218 batting average and league-leading 200 strikeouts were parts of his imperfect game. He was as bad of a left fielder as expected. The biggest problem was the Phillies had to use him more in the field because of the injury to Bryce Harper.
There remains a lot of good already to come from this free agent signing. He’s with the Phillies for three more seasons in what will take him through his age 32 season. The payoff of having such a prolific home run hitter at the top or middle of their lineup for three more years makes this a deal Dombrowski can brag about.
2) Best Phillies moves under Dave Dombrowski: Re-signing J.T. Realmuto
It’s hard to picture J.T. Realmuto with any other team at this point. Even if he has more games as a member of the Miami Marlins, Realmuto has been a tremendous fit with the Phillies over the last four seasons. He had a chance to slip away after the 2020 season, but Dombrowski made sure he remained in Philadelphia.
Conveniently, there are three more years on Realmuto’s deal as well. He’s a high-priced catcher already in his 30s. The concern of him declining quicker than most players is present because of the beating catchers take.
Realmuto has continued to prove those concerns are premature. He had one of his better years in 2022. A seventh-place finish in the MVP race along with a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove showcase how important he is to the team and in the league.
There was little doubt the Phillies needed to bring back Realmuto once he did hit the open market. Two years with him wasn’t enough even if they already look like they will come away winners in the trade with the Marlins which first brought him to Philadelphia.
As one of the game’s best all-around players, Dombrowski earned early brownie points by retaining this star backstop. It is turning out to be a wise decision even if it was an easy one to make.
1) Best Phillies moves under Dave Dombrowski: Signing Trea Turner
Is it a leap to already declare the Trea Turner signing the best move Dombrowski has made for the Phillies? If so, there are a lot of fans in Philadelphia already jumping with excitement.
Turner has been one of the league’s most exciting players for several years. He’s exciting because of how talented he is. Phillies fans feel good about him because of the role he’ll fill in the lineup.
Yes, Schwarber produced as the leadoff man for the team in 2022. Who wouldn’t prefer to have the speed and 2021 batting champion hitting first instead? Turner brings a lifetime .302/.355/.487 slash line with him to the Phillies. The massive 11-year contract he signed with the club was a huge one. He’s easily one of the most anticipated additions the franchise has ever made via free agency.
Shortstop has been a bit of a black hole for the Phillies in recent years. The Didi Gregorius addition didn’t work out and before him things were much more barren.
His 101 runs scored and 100 RBI from last season prove he can score and be the triggerman who knocks in his teammates. Time will prove out whether or not this truly is the best Dombrowski move. Before he has even played a single game for the Phillies, it already looks like it will be.