For the past several years, the Philadelphia Phillies are used to making high-level acquisitions or signings just about every offseason. From Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto, to Zack Wheeler and his big contract extension, the marquee signing of each offseason has been obvious.
This offseason, however, was quite different for the Phillies. Rather than going for the big-name addition, the team went for the more niche, tactical signings. Bringing on Jesus Luzardo as their projected fifth starter, Max Kepler to fill the left field gap, signing Jordan Romano to add to the closer conversation, and adding Joe Ross to the overall depth of the bullpen.
The question that lies on these four acquisitions heading into the 2025 season is simple: which one will have the most impact on a team that has set their bar at returning to the World Series?
The New Kids on the Block
Adding a starting pitcher always becomes a flashier signing just by importance. Jesus Luzardo joins the Phillies with a career 4.29 ERA over 512 innings pitched. Most recently, he dealt with injuries with Miami Marlins, only making 12 starts for an even 5.0 ERA on 2024. Before his injury-ridden season, Luzardo turned in two straight seasons of solid pitching for the Marlins, pitching 278 innings for a 3.37 ERA.
Jordan Romano joins the Phillies from the Toronto Blue Jays. Essentially, the Phillies traded Romano for Jeff Hoffman, who signed with the Blue Jays this offseason. Romano, like Luzardo, comes in with health concerns. Elbow and back problems have plagued Romano in recent years, but he still possesses all of the capability to be a strong closer. He recorded 36 saves in both 2022 and 2023. Prior to his 6.59 ERA last year, he clocked in four seasons of sub-four ERA performance. In 2020, when the Blue Jays were displaced in Buffalo, N.Y., Romano threw for a 1.23 ERA over 15 games.
Joe Ross, meanwhile, is not likely to pitch for many saves this season on the Phillies but could serve in a vital role in the bullpen nonetheless. A right-handed pitcher who found new life after switching to the bullpen in 2024, Ross brings the potential to eat multiple innings per outing out of the bullpen. He could even get the call to make a start or two depending on injuries or the potential doubleheader. A career 4.19 ERA, Ross yielded a 1.67 ERA in 27 innings out of the bullpen in 2024 for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Max Kepler was the only offensive acquisition of the offseason for the Phillies. The slated starting left fielder, Kepler joins the Phillies after spending his 10-year Major League career with the Minnesota Twins. Kepler, a .237 career average, hit .253 last season with 8 home runs. Kepler has shown some variability across his career in the power department, however. In 2019, Kepler hit 36 home runs. In recent years, he has gotten hot or cold, hitting 24 home runs in 2023 but did not hit 10 in either 2022 or 2024.
Who will have the most impact on the Phillies?
You could make an argument as to why any of these acquisitions will have a strong impact. A healthy Jordan Romano could just be the “true closer” the Phillies have sought after for years. Jesus Luzardo as a fifth starting pitcher rounds out what could be one of the best rotations in the League. Ross could be a Swiss Army knife in the bullpen and get use in any role the Phillies need.
But, at the end of the day, Max Kepler playing everyday has the best chance of having the most impact on the Phillies. If he matches his production in 2024, he will simply be a decent bat towards the end of the Phillies’ lineup. Should he add the power that he has shown in the past, hitting for a .250 average with 20-25 home runs, Kepler all of a sudden deepens an already strong Phillies’ offense.
Whether it is Kepler, Luzardo, Romano, or Ross who make the most impact, the Phillies will be relying on all four of them to play their part in bringing the team back to the World Series once again.
Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
