Rob Thomson spoke at the London Ontario Sports Association yesterday, talked busy Phillies offseason and zoom calls with several free agents
Phillies’ skipper Rob Thomson spoke yesterday at the London (Ont) Sports Association and provided a bit of insight into Phillies free agency.
Thomson, in the most Canadian statement ever, told reporters that before he arrived, he was in a Tim Hortons parking lot doing a zoom call with a “potential free agent bullpen pitcher we’d like to sign.”
From there, Thomson said he also had a few more zoom meetings to get done before the end of the day.
More from Rob Thomson in London, Ontario
After signing a two-year extension to be the Phillies’ manager, he is now a very busy man.
“Before I got here I was in a Tim Hortons parking lot doing a zoom call with a potential free-agent bullpen pitcher we’d like to sign,” Thomson told the crowd.
He added, “When I’m done here, I’ve got a Zoom at two, and a Zoom at four. I drive to Toronto tonight, and fly to Atlanta tomorrow. I come home and I’m going to San Diego on Saturday, so there is a lot of moving parts here.”
He will not be staying in his hometown of Stratford, Ont. for very long, before heading back to Philadelphia for the remainder of the offseason.
“We’re transitioning into another phase of our season,” Thomson told CTV News London. “So we’re starting to talk to Major League free agents and trying to put our ball club together for next year. It’s still a little bit busy and a lot of Zoom calls, a lot of text messages, a lot of travel, but that’s good.”
The Philadelphia Phillies have been brought up multiple times this week in regards to signing a free agent shortstop. This offseason, there are four elite shortstops on the market and after the departure of Jean Segura and the impending Bryson Stott move to second base, the Phillies will almost definitely sign one of them.
Ranking the top free agent shortstops >>
The obvious choice would be Trea Turner, who again was linked to the Phillies yesterday, with Philly being the “front runner” to land him.
Trea Turner is widely considered to be the best shortstop available on the market this winter. It also helps that he is reportedly great friends with Bryce Harper and that their wives are close. They must know each other well from their four years as teammates on the Washington Nationals. Great so everybody is hunky dory, but should the Phillies really consider Turner above Correa or other possible options?
There is little question as to whether Turner is one of the best all around hitters in the game. He is also incredibly consisting having posted between 2.8 and 4.9 WAR in each of the last 7 seasons. Turner averages a whopping 44 stolen bases a season for his career and between his speed on the base paths and above average defensive work at short he would certainly make the Phillies a better ball club next season.
It’s honestly difficult to find something not to like about Turner when he plays. How can you not want to add a guy that projects to hit around .300? The two-time All-Star hit .328 in 2021 to win the National League batting title and can also play second base and center field if need be, providing the Phillies with added positional flexibility.
His playing style and demeanor would also fit perfectly in Philadelphia and he has clearly documented that he can play winning baseball as evidenced by his World Series title with the Nationals in 2019 and his time on the Dodgers.
On the pitching free agent market, it’s still unclear what route the Phillies will take. I would love to see Dave Dombrowski go out and sign a big name starter to bolster the rotation (hint Carlos Rodon) but as of now, it looks like the focus is on the shortstop.
In regards to the bullpen, I would imagine any new arms they bring in would be cost efficient veterans to plug the holes around the core of Seranthony Dominguez, Jose Alvarado, and Connor Brogdon.
Read More About My Ideal Phillies Offseason Here >>
