Phillies manager Rob Thomson shuts down roster construction narrative

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 04: Rob Thomson, Manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, looks on during warm ups before playing the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 04, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

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By Drew VonScio

Contributing Sports Writer

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The Philadelphia Phillies have had the type of offseason many expected them to have this winter.

With just weeks remaining before spring training begins, the Phillies' biggest move was bringing back Kyle Schwarber. Yes, they made it a priority to sign him. However, many fans wanted more big-name players besides their star designated hitter returning.

Aside from Schwarber, the biggest addition to the roster was a reunion with catcher J.T. Realmuto and adding Adolis Garcia to play right field.

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In a media availability session on Tuesday, manager Rob Thomson defended the decisions of Dave Dombrowski and tried to shut down fans' opinions on the way the roster is being built.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 04: Rob Thomson, Manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, looks on during warm ups before playing the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 04, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

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“We got three new relievers, a new right fielder, (Justin) Crawford’s gonna have every chance to play, a rookie starting pitcher, Otto Kemp who wasn’t here at the start of last year," Thompson told reporters, Crossing Board's Luke Arcaini. "That’s 20-25% of the roster. If you think that’s running it back, or whatever the saying is, I don’t know what to tell ya.”

The biggest reliever addition was Brad Keller, who signed a two-year deal on Dec. 18. Thomson's comments do seem to be defensive or maybe out of touch with the phrase "running it back." Even if 25% of the roster is different, it doesn't mean those players will necessarily make an impact.

While the Phillies missed out on Bo Bichette, the plan makes sense otherwise: bring back Schwarber and Realmuto, fill in some gaps with short-term veterans (Garcia, Keller, etc.) and supplement the rest with young players.

Whether this strategy works remains to be seen, but the Phillies will have a lot of pressure on them entering spring training as this plan unfolds.