The Phillies have clear goals, as outlined during an hour-long Dombrowski news conference Thursday morning. They want to improve their defense and base running without wide-ranging personnel changes. They will not move dubious defenders off premium positions, at least not yet. They think the offensive improvement has to come from within, spurred by a change in hitting coaches, but they also want to rest their star hitters a bit more in 2027. They might not spend money on another big-dollar contract, but they have some money to spread around.
After hearing Dombrowski and manager Don Mattingly speak, it’s apparent the Phillies know they must try different things. They want to embrace a different style. All of it sounds noble; a newfound aggressiveness on defense and the basepaths would be welcomed in South Philly.
It is not clear, at all, how they can make it all happen. No one is supposed to have the answers in mid-October. But it is a fascinating moment in this franchise’s arc.
When asked if the Phillies have the financial wherewithal to make meaningful free-agent signings, Dombrowski praised the team’s ownership, and then turned the focus to himself.
“We have a lot of high-salary guys at this point, so I think you have to figure out which way you go,” Dombrowski said. “I don’t think it necessarily means signing all high-salary guys, but I do think we have the flexibility. … The reality is that, ‘Hey, it’s up to me. I’ve created the situation, right?’”
About the clearest thing that emerged from Thursday’s post-mortem is that Dombrowski will be the man making decisions for the foreseeable future. Dombrowski, who was under contract through 2027 but is believed to have already signed a long-term extension, declined to elaborate on his timeline.
“I want to do the job,” Dombrowski said. “I plan on being here for a while. It’s not my liberty to announce contracts. But it’s a situation; I plan on being here for a while. I enjoy it. Healthy. I have quality people around me. If I don’t feel that way at some point, I wouldn’t do it. So I would really put it more on that timeframe. But it’s one of those where, yeah, I do plan on being here a while.”
Read the rest here for free: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7693806/2026/10/16/phillies-offseason-dave-dombrowski/?unlocked_article_code=1.JFE.PO_P.kv_1reYRUlUb&source=emp_shared_article&smid=url-share-ta