Phillies Obviously See this as a Player Problem After Extending Rob Thomson's Contract and Keeping Entire Coaching Staff
Dave Dombrowski is doing his end-of-season press conference right now:
Dave Dombrowski said Rob Thomson’s contract had been extended through 2026. The entire coaching staff is returning next season as well.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) October 15, 2024
There were fans calling for Topper’s head but it didn’t seem to be an overwhelming number. Not exactly Chip Kelly 2015 vibes. It’s hard to fire a manager who won 95 games and the division for the first time since 2011.
It seemed like hitting coach Kevin Long might be the fall guy after the pitiful NLDS loss, but they’re gonna run it back with the entire coaching staff, which says to you and me that the Phillies front office sees this as a player issue. If none of the staffers are gone, then some of the players will be. Because you can’t run it back with this entire group. Someone’s gotta go. Blood must be spilled after that postseason exit, or else you’re not a serious franchise. You become the Philadelphia Union. That’s what happens.
I know some people think Topper is too casual out there, like he’s too much of a “player’s coach,” and maybe that’s true, but you also have to remember that the whole reason he ended up with the job is because the previous guy was too much of a hardass and wasn’t getting results. So do you fire Topper and find the next Joe Girardi? Or do you shake up the roster and send a message to these highly-paid guys that you gotta start getting the job done at the plate? Because they went backwards this year.