The stove is on fire! The Philadelphia Phillies have made their second offseason move, signing outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year deal worth $10 million. It is a very puzzling move on the surface. The amount of money he is getting this season shows the Phillies view him as more than a platoon player, but he’s another lefty bat who hits righties better.
Max Kepler
Max Kepler is a left-handed outfielder from Berlin, Germany. He debuted for the Minnesota Twins in 2015 where he has spent his entire career. He is the second German-developed player to play in modern Major League Baseball.
His 2024 performance was underwhelming. He finished the season with a .253/.302/.380/.682 line to go with eight home runs and 42 RBI. His 20.1 strikeout percentage is tied for the fourth-highest of his career while his 5.5 walk percentage was the lowest since his rookie season. His .253 batting average was the second-highest of his career.
His defense wasn’t anything special this past season either. He finished with a zero DRS and four OAA but also wasn’t credited for a single error.
While Kepler is a solid player, this move clearly shows the Phillies are still going with the “ball goes boom” method despite needing the change. He hit eight home runs last season, but 24 in 2023, 19 in 2021, and 36 in 2019. It is a puzzling move, a move that has Whit Merrifield/Austin Hays vibes to it.
