The Phillies' postseason drought has reached 10 years, and if fans are looking for the organization to respond by making a big free agent splash for the third time in the last three years, they shouldn't hold their breath.
Speaking to reporters during Wednesday's end-of-the-season press conference, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that while a big-name free agent is always a possibility, it may not be a solution for the Phillies' problems that led to another playoff-less season.
"Could we? We have ownership here that is amazing, just tremendous," Dombrowski said when asked if the team could make another big signing this winter. "They want to win. They'll do everything the possibly can to win. So could we? I'd say yes, we could. But is that the answer? We have star players. The star player aspect of it is great. We probably match up stars with most organizations at the top. But you also have to get complimentary pieces that fit together for you…and the combination of blending younger players."
Philadelphia inked Bryce Harper to a monster $330 million deal just before the 2019 season, then brought back J.T. Realmuto by signing the star catcher to a five-year deal with a $23.1 million annual value, the most ever for a catcher. But two superstars in the lineup, and a dynamic arm in the rotation in Zack Wheeler, weren't enough to get the Phillies to the top of what was a weak NL East this season. So upgrades are clearly necessary, but Dombrowski won't commit to the more drastic, pricey options that will be available this winter.
"We need to work and put those pieces together, that blend together," Dombrowski said. "Are you really better off getting one big ticket item or working with a bunch of other things that puts you together to make you better at different spots? I don't have that answer today, because we need to work on those things. We're having meetings in Clearwater in 10 days. We've already explored different possibilities."
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The free agency class this winter boasts plenty of star power, from division foes like Freddie Freeman to former NL East foes like Max Scherzer. Kevin Gausman and Robbie Ray present other options that can bolster a rotation, but again, Dombrowski isn't sold on the fact that big-name signings will make an immediate difference, after Harper and Realmuto's massive deals weren't enough to get the Phillies over the hump.
"To me, going out and getting big-ticket items isn't always the answer, because we have big ticket items," Dombrowski said. "Now I do think we need somebody in the middle of the lineup to be a middle-of-the-lineup hitter other than Bryce. To be a guy who is a real threat that can protect him. How do you go about doing that? We'll have to wait and see what ends up taking place."
Phillies fans will certainly be calling for changes and improvements after another disappointing season, though Dombrowski doesn't have the strongest farm system to pluck from in potential offseason trades. That could leave free agency as the more sensible avenue to improve the roster. It may not be a household name, but Dombrowski insists that his group will look into every option to avoid extending the organization's frustrating postseason drought.
"We'll be aggressive in making it happen, and we'll pursue every avenue we possibly can," Dombrowski said. "Free agency, trade, any way you can do those things. For me, it's to never try and leave any stone unturned…but I think it's a situation where there's a lot of things that need to be done, but we also have a lot of positives.
"It's up to us to be creative, aggressive, and try to pursue those avenues to try and fix those things. And that's what we'll try to do."
