Pitchers and catchers have all made their way down to beautiful Clearwooder for their spring training preparation. We are that much closer to baseball season, meaning we’re so close to hearing “BEER, BEER, BEER, BEER, BEEEEEEER” on our televisions for a month.
The Phillies were relatively quiet this offseason and lost pitchers Jeff Hoffman (Blue Jays) and Carlos Estévez (Royals) to free agency. Fans have questions about the roster, and we have answers! I teamed up with fellow Philadelphia Sports Network writer Shaun Nestor to answer some of those questions.
Which Phillies reliever will lead the team in saves at the end of the year?
Kylee: I’ll have to go with Orion Kerkering. Before I go into this, I want to make it clear I have a ton of faith in Jordan Romano. I just believe Kerkering will take that big of a leap forward and be the backbone that the Phillies need following Jeff Hoffman’s departure to Toronto.
Shaun: This may not be the popular answer, but I think Jordan Romano does the job there. Especially in Rob Thomson’s system of “bullpen by committee,” Romano’s experience will get him the bulk of the action while Jose Alvarado, Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm, and others get their time in the 9th as well.
Predict a Phillies trade deadline addition
Kylee: I think the Phillies will go after a relief pitcher. I don’t think it’ll be a high-end reliever because I believe Romano and Kerkering will take over, but more options in relief can’t possibly do any harm.
Shaun: You know, nothing stands out as a huge need to be filled at the trade deadline yet to me. But I’m going to go out on a limb here: a package likely involving one of Miller, Crawford, or Tait to the Brewers for Devin Williams and Rhys Hoskins. Spicy enough for you?
Are there any position battles in camp?
Kylee: The obvious one is centerfield with Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas, but you could argue the closer role has a position battle. As it stands, Jordan Romano is expected to have the Jeff Hoffman/main closer role, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Orion Kerkering have a shot at the spot if Romano starts slow.
Shaun: If anything, Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas will battle for the center field job, but I fully expect that to remain at the status quo with a platoon.
What prospects not named Andrew Painter can you see getting called up this season?
Kylee: I would be very shocked to see Justin Crawford and Aidan Miller up this season. Dave Dombrowski already said he sees Miller as a 2026 at-best guy. With that in mind, I would expect to see Mick Abel up at some point. I don’t think he’ll make it right out of camp, but I see it happening by the trade deadline.
Shaun: Technically I expect Mick Abel will make the Phillies bullpen out of camp, but that’s not really what this question is asking. If anything, I would expect Jean Cabrera, Seth Johnson, or Griff McGarry to come up at some point to fill in for an injury here or there, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up for Aidan Miller or Justin Crawford just yet.
Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
