What the Phillies Could Use Right Now. Blog 23

Let’s just be honest here: the 2025 Phillies are good—very good, in fact. They’re near the top of the standings, they’ve got one of the best rotations in baseball, and the vibes in South Philly are generally electric. But let’s also be a little more honest: this team could still use a few things if they’re going to finally finish what they started in 2022 and 2023.

So what could the Phillies use? Let’s dig in.

1. A Lockdown Closer Not Named Alvarado
With José Alvarado serving a suspension and Craig Kimbrel somewhere screaming at clouds (and also in Baltimore now), the bullpen situation gets murky late in games. Jeff Hoffman has been a pleasant surprise, but can he be trusted come October? The Phillies could really use a flamethrower with ice in his veins—the kind of guy who slams the door shut without giving 40,000 fans indigestion. Think peak Lidge, not “lights-on” Lidge.

2. A Real Center Fielder
Look, Johan Rojas is fast, but so is my Amazon Prime driver, and he doesn’t get picked off trying to steal third in a tie game. The Phillies have been in center field limbo since Shane Victorino’s wheels left town. They don’t need a superstar—just a reliable glove, a decent bat, and someone who doesn’t make fans hold their breath on every fly ball. Preferably a guy who doesn’t hit like a pitcher.

3. A Lefty Bat with Pop
Bryce Harper can’t do it all, and Kyle Schwarber, bless his moonshot-hitting heart, is a designated hitter in a designated hitter’s body. The Phils need another lefty who can balance the lineup and mash right-handers. Someone who can take the pressure off of Harper and Schwarber—and perhaps prevent Rob Thomson from writing out the same script night after night.

4. A Spark of Youth
It’s time for one of the kids to break out. Whether it’s Justin Crawford, Aidan Miller, or a surprise from Lehigh Valley, the Phils could use a jolt of that rookie magic—cheap, energetic, and unburdened by postseason scars. Every contender has That Rookie who gets hot in September and suddenly becomes a legend. Right now, we don’t have one. Yet.

5. A Little More Fun
Yes, we’re nitpicking a very good team. But the 2022 squad had a chaotic joy to them—the bathtub celebrations, the dances, the Topper-led rebellion against managerial stuffiness. This year’s team sometimes feels like they’re carrying the weight of the whole damn city. Loosen up, fellas. Have a Phillie Phun Day. Let Nick Castellanos design the postgame wardrobe. Whatever it takes.

6. A Break from the Panic Button
Let’s be real: what the Phillies could really use is a fanbase that doesn’t spiral after a two-game losing streak in June. (But good luck changing that—this is Philadelphia, not San Diego.) Maybe we all need to take a deep breath and remember this is a marathon, not a Broad Street Run.

So yeah, the Phillies are contenders. But if Dave Dombrowski has another rabbit to pull out of his hat—or another reliever out of the bullpen—they could be champions. Again.

Until then, keep your rally towels close and your blood pressure meds closer. This ride is just getting started.