Throughout the 2024 MLB season, the Philadelphia Phillies’ front office made a variety of decisions.
Whether through free agent signings or trades with other teams, their goal was to enhance player performance and maximize their chances of winning. Additionally, there were some opportunities the Phillies chose not to pursue, feeling that their current core group adequately covered those needs.
Ultimately, while some of their decisions paid off, a few backfired significantly, which may have contributed to a disappointing conclusion to their 2024 season.
In this article, we will examine four poor choices made by Dave Dombrowski and the front office that had negative repercussions for the Phillies this season.
4 horrible front office decisions that backfired on the Phillies in 2024
Signing Whit Merrifield
During the previous offseason, the Phillies made their most significant move by signing veteran utility player Whit Merrifield in free agency.
As a three-time All-Star who had led the American League in hits twice and stolen bases three times, Philadelphia was optimistic about his potential impact on the team. They valued his elite hitting, speed, and versatility, especially following a strong 2023 season with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he batted .272 with a .700 OPS, scoring 66 runs, hitting 27 doubles, 11 home runs, 67 RBI, and stealing 26 bases in 145 games.
Unfortunately, Merrifield was a major disappointment for the Phillies. He posted some of the worst statistics of his career, finishing 53 games with a .199 batting average and .572 OPS, tallying only 21 runs, four doubles, three home runs, 11 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.
Merrifield didn’t complete the season with the team and was released in July. To make matters worse, he later signed with the Atlanta Braves, where he played a small yet important role in their postseason push.
As a result, the front office’s top offseason acquisition failed to perform during his time in Philadelphia and ended up benefiting a division rival instead—a decision they likely regret.
Not adding a proven back end of the rotation starter
As they entered the 2024 season, the Phillies felt confident in their starting rotation, featuring Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez, and Cristopher Sánchez. The only uncertainty was how Taijuan Walker would rebound after being excluded from their 2023 postseason run.
The front office seemed to believe Walker would be a reliable option, as they chose not to pursue any established starting pitchers during the 2023-24 offseason to enhance their pitching depth.
Instead, Philadelphia opted for free agent signings like Spencer Turnbull and Kolby Allard, along with a trade for pitching prospect Michael Mercado, to serve as their depth options.
However, when Walker struggled with injuries and poor performance during the season, these backup options were called into action. Unfortunately, none of them effectively filled the fifth spot in the rotation. Turnbull began the season well but was sidelined by a right lat strain in late June. Both Allard and Mercado also had opportunities but failed to make an impact in their limited starts.
Had the Phillies pursued a reliable back-end starter in free agency, they could have avoided the ongoing issues that plagued them throughout the season. This would have provided them with a stronger option for the playoffs, potentially preventing them from relying on a struggling Suárez in the crucial Game 4 of the NLDS. The Phillies learned this lesson the hard way and will likely be more cautious heading into 2025.
Trading for Austin Hays
In the 2024 season, the Phillies’ outfield featured power hitter Nick Castellanos alongside defensively skilled Johan Rojas and Brandon Marsh, with Whit Merrifield serving as the utility backup.
However, with Merrifield’s poor performance and the underwhelming offensive contributions from Rojas and Marsh, the Phillies were forced to seek an outfield upgrade at the trade deadline. Although there were several appealing options available, they ultimately decided on Austin Hays from the Baltimore Orioles.
Hays had enjoyed an All-Star season with the Orioles in 2023, but his 2024 campaign was disappointing, with a .255 average and .711 OPS, tallying 18 runs, 13 doubles, three home runs, and 14 RBI over 63 games before the trade. His struggles led to reduced playing time as the Orioles favored younger prospects like Colton Cowser.
The Phillies hoped that providing Hays with everyday starting opportunities would help him return to his previous form, where he averaged 20 home runs and 70 RBI per season. Additionally, with 23 defensive runs saved (DRS) in the same timeframe, Hays had demonstrated his capability in the field.
Unfortunately, he did not meet expectations, as he battled health issues during his brief time with the Phillies. After the trade, Hays played only 22 games, missing time due to a hamstring injury in August and a kidney infection in September.
Ultimately, he finished with a .256 batting average and .672 OPS, recording eight runs, five doubles, two home runs, and six RBI. His postseason appearances were minimal, with three strikeouts in just four at-bats. Rather than securing a player who could make a significant impact in the late season and playoffs, the Phillies ended up with a trade that yielded no tangible benefits.
Leave a Reply