Tuesday means Phillies Mailbag day here at Crossing Broad.

Thanks for all of the questions. I send a tweet out every Monday asking for questions if you want to get in next week!

Let’s jump into it.

“Which Phillies player has the best chance at earning a 10-day contract with the Sixers?” – @Sean_Barnard1 via X

The Sixers should take anyone they can get, but they better keep losing. Trea Turner feels like he’d be a good point guard. J.T. Realmuto is one of the best athletes in baseball. It seems like he could play a mean small forward. Don’t count out Andrew Painter, though. He’d take someone’s lunch money in the paint.

#CaptureTheFlagg


“How much will you be willing to spend on your 2025 NL All Star Max Kepler jersey?” – @MarkHenryJr_ via X

That would be a heater of a jersey. I can’t wait to watch Max Kepler every day. He’s got the bat to be special, and I think a change of scenery is going to help him find the consistency he’s been searching for the last few years. The swing looks smooth this spring.

“Why does Kevin Long still have a job? His approach is based on out dated analytics and doesn’t work. Last 3 postseason were lost by the offense.” – @realzeel via X

Kevin Long is one of the most respected coaches in baseball. I think it’s easy for fans to call for the head of a coach, when realistically, the playoff struggles the last few years have come down to execution. Yes, the approach hasn’t been good in the big moments. But Kevin Long can only tell a guy so much to not swing at a ball in the dirt.

If you’re going to rip Kevin Long, you have to also give him the credit for the progress that he’s made with guys like Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh, Alec Bohm, and more.

“If the season started today, what would the starting lineup look like?” – @TheBSLine via X

Here’s what I think the Phillies lineup will look like on March 27th at Nationals Park:

  1. Turner SS
  2. Harper 1B
  3. Bohm 3B
  4. Schwarber DH
  5. Castellanos RF
  6. Stott 2B
  7. Realmuto C
  8. Kepler LF
  9. Marsh CF

“Is it better long term for Trea to play 2nd and Stott to go back to SS given Trea’s fielding problems? Assuming they get worse with age” – @WeigandDrew via X

Trea’s fielding has undoubtedly been an issue. You have to hope it gets better with time. I don’t think they’re thinking about a switch right now, but I think one could come in the far future. They really like Aidan Miller at SS, so that’s something they’ll have to think about once the kid is ready. But we’ve got a little bit until then. Trea will be the shortstop in 2025.

“What does Painter’s role look like this season?” – @phillychromes via X

Andrew Painter is going to be in the rotation when he’s fully ready to go. I still think the late June/early July timeline is the most likely scenario. Ranger Suarez slotting into the bullpen would be my guess as of right now. If Painter is going to be a starter in his career, which he will be, they won’t throw him in the pen if they don’t have to. They want to develop him as a starter.

Come playoff time, it’s a toss up. I don’t know if they’d want him to start games in October just yet, but if he pitches up to his ability, it’ll be hard not to start him.

“Thoughts on taking a flyer on Sanchez Cy Young at +3500?” – @Y0UNGTIGER via X

Money must have come in on Cristopher Sanchez over the last few weeks, because he was +5000 before his first start of the spring. I don’t think it’s a crazy flyer at all. He was fantastic last year, the changeup looks even better now, and he’s up to 98. It’s hard to sell due to the top guys (Skenes, Wheeler, Snell, Burnes, etc.), but that’s an extremely fun flyer (I have him at +5000).

“Should the Phillies extend Kyle Schwarber? What term and total dollars on contract?” – @MrEd315 via X

Yes.

Kyle Schwarber is the Phillies’ leader. He’s a winning baseball player. I think the price could look pretty similar to his contract he’s on right now. Schwarber is in the final year of a 4-year, $79M contract. Maybe a 3-year, $60M deal? It’s tough to gauge the market for next season, but Schwarber deserves every bit of the money he’s going to get.

“Rincones making the final 26? Why? Why not?” – @CoachDaveHuf via X

I don’t expect him to make the Opening Day roster, but I think you’ll see him at some point this season. I don’t think the Phillies want to just throw him up the pros after a good spring. Let him continue to get comfortable in AAA. An injury to someone on the roster is Rincones’ best shot later in the year. I think they’d give him a week or two to see what he’s got if a corner outfielder went down at some point.

“When will the Phillies get a legit closer?” – @11dizcd99 via X

Jordan Romano can be the closer, but I don’t see the Phillies committing to a true closer this season. They have three guys that have the true ability to be one – Matt Strahm, Jordan Romano, and Orion Kerkering. I think all of those guys will see some 9th innings this year.

I’m also all the way in on a big season for Jose Alvarado. He’s throwing 101.5 on March 2nd and is in the best shape of his professional career.

“With center field such a major weakness why have the Phillies seemed to ignore this position for quite some time?” – @H_mannnn via X

The CF outrage is pretty funny to me. It’s not a hitting position. Brandon Marsh is going to get a lot of time in CF this season, a guy who had a .747 OPS and a 3.1 WAR in 135 games last season. That’s an above average player compared to the average CF across the league. If the reason the Phillies lose baseball games is because of their centerfielder, we’ve got bigger issues to deal with.

“Do you think it’s possible that both Trea and Harper can return to MVP form with some big numbers if Rob Thomson follows through with consistently having them go 1-2 in the batting order?” – @ddubbz918 via X

Absolutely. I think Trea is going to have the Trea Turner season we’ve been waiting for. Hits .310, 25 homers, drives in 80-100 runs. Bryce Harper is Bryce Harper, he’ll have another awesome year because of course he will.

“Should we expect to see more of Koyo Aoyagi during spring training? Do you think he is part of the Phillies plans this season?” – @baseballbydesign via Bluesky

Aoyagi’s first start certainly wasn’t great. I still think he needs a little time to just get used to everything. I don’t expect to see him on the Opening Day roster, but he could pitch his way into the conversation towards the summer.

“What’s your hottest Phillies take for this season you’ve been too scared to say out loud?” – @KevinMcCNBA via X

I’ve got a few in the chamber, so I’ll give you three pretty hot ones. I can’t spoil all of the hot ones…that story is coming soon here on Crossing Broad.

  1. Trea Turner leads the team in OPS
  2. We’ll be campaigning for Max Kepler in the All-Star Game in June
  3. Bryson Stott hits over .300

20 Takes for the Phillies season will be out next week. Keep an eye out for the rest. These are just the start.