Several disappointing postseason performances could lead the front office to consider changes within the coaching staff.
Following yet another disappointing finish to the season for the Philadelphia Phillies, significant changes may be on the way. Although Rob Thomson seems to have job security, several high-profile coaches are in precarious positions and could soon be leaving the organization.
Phillies’ hitting coach Kevin Long could be this year’s scapegoat
Hitting coach Kevin Long may be on his way out as the Phillies’ offense struggled significantly during the postseason, according to Nathan Ackerman of Phillies Nation.
In 129 at-bats over four games, the Phillies managed only 24 hits and 11 runs, with 14 of those hits coming from just three players: Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, and Trea Turner. This disappointing performance follows a strong regular season in which the team ranked in the top five for runs (fifth), hits (fourth), doubles (fourth), on-base percentage (fifth), and slugging percentage (fifth).
These offensive struggles in the playoffs are not new for the Phillies. In the 2023 NLCS against the Diamondbacks, they squandered a 3-2 lead, scoring just three runs in the final two games. Similarly, in the 2022 World Series, they lost three straight games to the Houston Astros after leading the series 2-1, managing only three runs across those games, including a no-hit shutout in Game 4 at home.
Phillies can only make so many changes to the roster
The likelihood of a complete roster overhaul after another disappointing postseason is relatively low, mainly due to the significant financial commitments the Phillies have made to their core players.
Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, and Trea Turner are all under contract through at least 2026, while Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh, and Bryson Stott still have several arbitration years remaining before hitting free agency for the first time. Although it is possible for the team to trade some players who are arbitration-eligible, the return for those players is likely to be lower than anticipated due to the uncertainty surrounding their long-term status.
Given the current payroll structure, it’s highly probable that hitting coach Kevin Long and his top assistants, Dustin Lind and Rafael Pena, could be let go. While coaches can only do so much to influence a team’s success, the pattern of postseason failures suggests the Phillies need to reevaluate their approach, particularly against the league’s top teams.
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that Juan Soto is a free agent, and Long’s presence could influence a potential move to Philadelphia since they previously worked together in Washington. However, Soto might still consider signing with the Phillies even if Long is dismissed, thanks to his existing relationships with Harper and Turner from their time with the Nationals.
The Phillies have a history of making changes when things aren’t going well. In 2022, they fired Joe Girardi during his third season after it became clear the team was underperforming despite its talent.
Now, two years later, the team finds itself in a similar situation, and ultimately, the decision rests with Dave Dombrowski and his team to determine if this coaching staff is capable of leading the team to a championship.
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