Rob Thomson says going to Craig Kimbrel in Games 3 and Game 4 of the 2023 NLCS is a decision that he would do again.
"I thought about it a lot over the course of the winter and you go back through your decision making and the processes, and try to improve on that," the Phillies' manager told 94WIP's Howard Eskin on Saturday live in Clearwater.
After giving up a walkoff hit and receiving the loss in a 2-1 Diamondbacks Game 3 win, Thomson controversially went right back to the 35-year-old relief pitcher in the eighth inning of Game 4 while holding a two run lead. Kimbrel allowed three earned runs in 0.2 innings, including a home run and the Phillies lost the game 6-5 and eventually lost the series in seven games.
"I know the Kimbrel situation and using him in, what was it Game 5 or Game 4, I guess. Games 3 and 4, that's been a big issue. But if you look at Kimbrel's numbers in September—I think he threw 12 innings, had 12 appearances, gave up two runs. The first four outings in the playoffs, didn't give up a run. And then Games 3 and 4 it got away from us, but that one I'd do again. I really would. One game doesn't necessarily mean it is a trend and I still had a lot of confidence in him and Craig did a really good job for us last year. So that was one decision that I'd probably do the same thing."
The one decision that Thomson admits he may have done differently was let Johan Rojas bat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 4th in Game 7 with the score tied 1-1. Rojas, who struck out, was eventually pinch hit for anyway in the 7th, and the Phils lost the game 4-2.
"The one that I struggle with the most is pinch hitting with Rojas in Game 7. Going back on it, would I do it again, now that's maybe one I would think a little bit harder about."
Eskin asked Thomson if the Phillies would have been a better team if they kept Rhys Hoskins and moved Bryce Harper back to the outfield.
"Well, where is [Nick] Castenallos at that point?" Thomson said. "To the answer the question, with Hoskins on the club, we would have been a better team. Now, you would've mixed and matched Harper DH or play first every once in awhile, Castellanos DH, Castellanos gonna be in there he's a 30 and 100 guy. But yeah I think so, especially with Rhys' demeanor and the level of poise he brought to the game and his at-bats. He was a guy that didn't chance much and he walked in front of Harper and in front of J.T. and Nick, so that's a big part of it, no doubt."
The Phillies have reportedly signed utility man Whit Merrifield to a one-year deal. Thomson could not confirm the addition, which has not yet been officially announced yet, but Topper did speak about Merrifield in general.
"Obviously, really good player, experienced 35 years old," Thomson said. "Wants to play. Really good second baseman, can play left field, can play right field. We'll get him in here and talk to him about doing some other things around the field, but he's a baseball player. And he can hit and he's not going to strikeout, doesn't walk very much, but he can hit. He'll hit a few home runs. He's a really good player and really good in the clubhouse, so whoever gets him is going to be a better team."
Thomson also announced the Phillies' 2024 rotation would consist of the five names we expected.
"It's going to be [Zack] Wheeler, [Aaron] Nola, [Ranger] Suarez, Taijuan [Walker] and Sanchy [Christopher Sanchez].
Finally, in what has become an annual tradition, Eskin—who is not a fan of Kyle Schwarber as the team's leadoff hitter—presented Thomson with his ideal 2024 lineup:
1. Stott
2. Turner
3. Harper
4. Bohm/Realmuto
5. Schwarber
6. Bohm/Realmuto
7. Castellanos
8. Marsh
9. Rojas
"That's a good lineup, it is," Thomson admitted. "That's a good lineup and whatever one we go with, if it's not this one, if we get shutout three or four days in a row I'm going to this lineup right here.
"The whole thing is around Schwarber leading off, let's get it out in the open. Hey, those are all great points, but the best point is you can have the greatest lineup in the world, but the lineup we have been using has won."
