MLB Winter Meetings: Phillies content without making a splash, Rob Thomson didn’t watch the World Series, and MLB Rule 5 Draft update

MLB Winter Meetings are underway in Nashville, Tennessee and I have a few updates for you from Rob Thomson, Dave Dombrowski, and the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Rob Thomson Didn’t Watch the World Series because it “Hurt Too Much” (Pain)

#Phillies manager Rob Thomson said he didn’t watch a single pitch of the World Series.

“It hurt too much.” pic.twitter.com/zrAquPVvzZ

— Patrick Gordon (@PGordonPBR) December 5, 2023

Side Note: Rob Thomson’s face in the picture above has been my exact look since Game 7 of the NLCS. Twinning!

Honestly, I couldn’t have been more in agreement with Rob Thomson’s approach to the World Series. I didn’t watch a second of it because I spent the majority of my time post-NLCS debating on whether or not I would die quicker jumping off the Ben Franklin Bridge or the Commodore Barry Bridge. 

Luckily, I found a restoration of faith in life itself by drowning myself in alcohol at my local watering hole (Buffalo Wild Wings) while traveling around America drinking myself stupid for Philadelphia Eagles away games with Phans of Philly. 

Fortunately (unfortunately), I’m still here and failed to enter the gates of Valhalla and have completely shifted focus over to Jalen Hurts and the Birds while keeping a close eye on the Embiid and Maxey. 

Phillies are content with roster ‘OK’ not making big splash

Whether you like it or not, recent reports coming from MLB Winter Meetings seem to indicate that the Phillies won’t be making any drastic moves this offseason. The team that takes the field on Opening Day 2024 will look very similar to what we watched in 2023. 

Is that a good thing? I’m not so sure. 

This lineup, while powerful at times tends to go cold in big moments throughout the season. We all witnessed what happened in Game 6 and Game 7 of the NLCS and if we don’t get a legitimate closer (Josh Hader, Dave) and end up going cheap like we did last year with Craig Kimbrel, it will be hard to think that next year will be better than the last. 

Craig Kimbrel’s New Home in Baltimore 

Speaking of Kimbrel, it looks like our old friend (enemy) who basically blew the entire NLCS in Arizona will be joining the Baltimore Orioles. 

Free-agent reliever Craig Kimbrel close to deal with Orioles, source tells @TheAthletic. Late last night, @Joelsherman1 reported serious discussions.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2023

Good riddance. 

OH! And according to MLB.com Philadelphia isn’t interested in free-agent closer Josh Hader, either so you can scratch that sentence above from your brain. Sorry about that. At least Rob Thomson loves the roster, right? 

“So, I love our roster. I love the makeup of our club, the talent of our club. I think we’re right there.”

Right…Anyways, it does look like roster improvements are incoming but a “big market” splash is unlikely. Don’t like the strategy here. John Middleton and company need to go “Stupid Money” and get this team over the hump while the window is wide open. 

The Phillies are not finished trying to upgrade their roster before Spring Training. They would like to find an outfielder to improve their depth and a reliever to help the bullpen. Maybe something else presents itself along the way. But the Phils are not pursuing Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto or Josh Hader. Philly’s lack of involvement in the star market — after years of being heavily involved every winter — has left some fans confused, concerned or even frustrated. [MLB.com]

Happening Now: 2023 Rule 5 Draft

The Phillies held pick No. 24 in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft today and chose to pass. Stay up-to-date on all things Rule 5 on MLB.com. It was also announced that the Phillies will have pick No. 27 in the 2024 MLB Draft. So there’s that. 

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