Phillies News and Discussion 2025 (Part 2)

[zambonir]

Much-discussed, rarely fufilled

Phillies are going to do a piggyback Friday — Taijuan Walker starts with Walker Buehler behind him. The Walker-Buehler plan. Nola on Saturday. Suárez on Sunday. This is being done to get Sánchez on Tues-Sun next week and aligned for G1. And to see Buehler…

— Matt Gelb ( @mattgelb.bsky.social ) September 17, 2025 at 8:14 PM

[schillingfan]

Bader seems to be cooling off.

[zambonir]

It doesn't matter. He's a good defender and him playing CF everyday is what elevates the corner platoons. And he's still got a .371 OBP in last 7 days so he's gone from hot to less hot not cool.

Kepler now has 17 HRs which is third on the teams. That's not a great reflection on JT or Nick (or Marsh or Bohm), but it counts.

Ha and you just got Harrison a hit.

[zambonir]

Gelb mentions the possibility of Rojas getting the last bench spot. He also explained the Casty PH on Monday - Thomson had already told Marsh he was coming out and Casty he was coming in. He still wanted to play for another run but in the playoff he could then sub Rojas in.

As Phillies near October baseball, some postseason roster debates come into...

Gelb's 12-man bullpen includes Buehler, Walker and Nola. Nola presumably wouldn't pitch unless he ends up starting or there is a Game 5. Walker would be the long or mop-up man while Buehler might be higher-leverage. But I wonder if you really want to take all three of them over Lazar or Trivino. And then the question also becomes do you stick with 5/12 in the NLCS.

[Philsmania]

I doubt they signed Buehler to leave him off the October roster. Might they leave off either Walker or Nola? Walker was arguably our co-Pitcher of the Month for August (along with Sanchez) but has been reverting hard to his mean lately. Even so, I think a case can be made that Walker may have earned a spot more than Nola based upon 2025 body of work.

[zambonir]

Agreed, Buehler probably makes it. But he still has to pitch well enough again to lock it down. You're really only taking him over Lazar so no big deal there. With more upside.

Nola is pretty certain to be the 4th starter (Friday is less a 'piggyback" as a "get Buehler used to coming out of the pen" move.) Though I suppose his last two starts (and Walker's) will also tell the tale. Then it's just a question of whether there is any reason to carry the #4 starter on the NLDS roster when he'd only pitch if there was a long extra innings game or an all-hands-on Game 5 (or both).

[andyb]

I think they still want either Lazar or Trivino over carrying all 3 starters. Maybe Buehler does not pitch well tomorrow and next week. Maybe they hedge on Nola and Walker (who has been bad of late). I think they still take only 2 of the 3 starters and Nola gets it as an if-needed 4th starter with the last multi-inning reliever between Buehler and Walker.

All it takes is an extra inning game or a rainout to need a 4th starter so Nola is just going to be on the roster.

[zambonir]

I would agree, but was surprised Gelb didn't see it that way. Obviously the working theory is that Buehler the post-season reliever is better than any bottom-of-the-pen guy, but can he actually be that? And the same for Walker really, as a bulk reliever or RHP coming in early if needed.

Walker's not getting the results but I'm not sure they think he's pitched really poorly. Some mistakes, some good pitches that got hit. And Salvador Perez.

[andyb]

I am a little worried about Kerkering. He has not been good the past few weeks. Neither has Lazar so Trivino could look attractive on the roster.

[zambonir]

Yeah I think that's part of why they are pinning their hopes on Buehler too. I also do not like Robertson nearly as much when he is replacing Kerkering rather than adding another option.

[allentown]

That's not a great reflection on JT or Nick (or Marsh or Bohm), but it counts.

I don't see that as a bad reflection on J.T. or Marsh. They aren't really HR-type hitters, but have better OPS+ and rWAR than Kepler. They are both better and more valuable players than Kepler. Bohm certainly has disappointed this season, especially compared to last year when he appeared to have broken out, but he is still a little better than Kepler.

[zambonir]

I am not saying it makes them bad players (or even lesser hitters) but JT topped 20 every year between 2018 and 2023 (except the COVID year when he did even better, prorated - 11) and they certainly hoped Marsh would grow into approaching 20. Bohm actually had 20 in 2023 but he's better at other things when he's good.

Of course Turner should be up there too (he hit 26 his first year here) but has a more well-rounded game now. It is just the realiity of this post-Hoskins offense with both JT and Nick in offensive decline (Nick much more obviously) and Turner and Bohm different types of hitters. But Bader has probably given them more than they expected at the plate too.

[andyb]

That lack of secondary HR output does beg the question on the need to resign Schwarber. Remember we might be replacing Kepler with Crawford too so would lose some power in that exchange (though getting speed and defense out of it).

It would really be nice for a minor leaguer with power (like Rincones or Reyes) to emerge but it does not look like that will happen by 2026 at this point. Kemp might add a little power if he supplants Bohm, though right now does not look like a better player. He would be less expensive.

It really seems to indicate they need to sign a HR hitter somewhere if Schwarber leaves.

[zambonir]

I'm inclined to believe the recent flurry of speculation that there's simply no way Schwarber isn't coming back.

[Philsmania]

It wouldn't completely surprise me if they announce an extension before the end of this month. Not saying they will but it would not surprise me.

Schwarbs will end this season around with around 340 career HR's. Four seasons with an average of 40+ HR's over the course of those four years will give him 500 and a punched ticket to Cooperstown. Can he keep that up ages 33-37?

[zambonir]

I had the same thought, would be a fun playoff momentum gesture, but he already turned them down before the season and I doubt it could happen that quickly/easily. He wants to hit the open market, and while I believe they won't be outbid by anyone in December, they don't need to bid against themselves now.

[Austinfan]

Miller and Crawford will eventually hit for power, but it might not be until 2028.
Miller has shown some good power and both will grow into more, and Crawford is gradually adjusting his swing and approach.
Kemp also has good power, which he showed in LHV and since he returned to the Phillies.

I think Bohm is gone after this season, with Kemp, Miller probably coming up after the Allstar break and Escobar in 2027, it makes no sense to pay him real money. Nor have they missed him with Kemp/Sosa filling in. Kepler is probably gone, Marsh may stay in a platoon in RF if Crawford starts in LF. If Casty isn't traded, he's going to platoon with someone, between his awful defense and mediocre hitting against RH pitching.

I think they pretty much have to resign Bader and Schwarber. Nori may be on the way, but not until 2027 or so. Rojas hasn't shown enough improvement to write him in as a starter.

[andyb]

We don't know if Crawford will ever hit for power. Certainly we don't know that about Nori. And we don't know if Kemp will hit enough. Miller is the guy who might, but not until next year. Let's not overrate our prospects. We really do not have lots of potential power down there. It's a weakness along with starting pitching depth.

[zambonir]

If they trade Bohm they probably have to bring in a LHB 3B to platoon with either Kemp or Sosa but they could probably use one regardless.

Trading Bohm frees up money for Bader. Offloading 1/3-1/2 of Nick's $ would too. Plus they do lose Kepler so it's not really that far to go, more about the longer commitment.