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Key Takeaways From Dave Dombrowski’s Post-Deadline Availability
By Luke Arcaini
Published:
The trade deadline is over, and it was underwhelming for the Phillies.
The Phillies acquired Luis Arraez and Caleb Kilian earlier Monday morning from the San Francisco Giants for Ramon Marquez and Marty Gair. Just a couple minutes after the Arraez news broke, the team also acquired Brooks Raley from the Mets in exchange for Luke Gabrysh and John Spikerman.
In the moment, it felt like Dave Dombrowski had one, maybe two more moves up his sleeve; but he ultimately did not. The team acquired Colby Thomas from the A’s in exchange for Seth Johnson, but the need for a starting pitcher and right-handed bat was not fulfilled.
The team, now, still feels short, especially when it comes to starting pitching. They are going to ask Bryson Stott to play third base, something he hasn’t done since 2022. They’re going to ask Bryce Harper to play right field, something he hasn’t done since 2022. And they’re going to ask Alec Bohm to play first base, which is a position that Bohm has started at 100 times in his career.
Dave Dombrowski spoke to the media once the 6:00 PM deadline passed. Here are the biggest takeaways:
The Lack of Starting Pitching Depth
Right now, the Phillies lack starting pitching depth. They have Zack Wheeler, Crisopher Sanchez, and Jesus Luzardo as the Top 3 guys. They have Aaron Nola, who has had another down season, as their 4th option. And their 5th option is Andrew Painter, who was optioned to AAA back in the middle of June, but is now back with the team.
“A little,” Dombrowski said when asked if he’s worried about their starting pitching depth. “Do you end up getting a guy that’s a fifth starter that you don’t think is as good as your guy that you have now, and option the guy that you think gives a better chance to win to help your depth?”
Aaron Nola, right now, is scheduled to start a playoff game, if the team finds themselves in the postseason. Dombrowski said the following on Nola:
Well, we hope we get there (the playoffs). Aaron Nola’s been a good pitcher in the big leagues…and actually, I was just telling…a lot of people are more analytically oriented than the others. But I would tell you, if you looked at the analytics, he’s ranked like 75th in MLB of all starting pitchers. So, I mean, when you do that, you go by 30 and divide it. But he has not pitched up to his normal capabilities. He pitched well last time off. But between him and Painter, we’ll figure that out when we get there.
Dombrowski would not comment on if the team made an offer on Tarik Skubal, but said that they did check in on starting pitchers around the league.
Luis Arraez and “The Infield Shuffle”
Luis Arraez is going to be a fun addition to this ball club. He does not strike out, he puts the ball in play, and he gets on base. That’s something that the Phillies need.
“We added the leading hitter in the league to the offense, and a different type of hitter than we have,” Dombrowski said when asked about the addition of Arraez. “He’s somebody that gets on base, sets the stage for some of our big guys, doesn’t strikeout as often. We really like that addition.”
With the addition of Arraez will come the shuffling of the infield. Once Arraez is inserted into the lineup, here’s how the Phillies will look defensively.
- Alec Bohm 1B
- Luis Arraez 2B
- Trea Turner SS
- Bryson Stott 3B
- Bryce Harper RF
Dombrowski said the Phillies “did not discuss” moving Trea Turner to the outfield or out of the shortstop position. “Well, he’s done it before and works hard at it,” Dombrowski said in regards to his confidence in Turner’s ability to play shortstop the rest of the season. “I’ve seen fielders go through struggling times, just like hitters and pitchers do. He’s a proven big league player, and I think he’ll do fine.”
“We didn’t even discuss it with him at this point,” Dombrowski said when asked about the possibility of moving Turner from shortstop. “And that’s where he’s staying right now.”
Bryce Harper’s Willingness to Move to RF
Bryce Harper is going to play right field for the rest of the season. He has not played there since 2022. But Harper told Dombrowski and Phillies brass that he’s willing to go back to the outfield if the move makes the team better.
“Well, very important,” Dombrowski said when asked how important Harper’s willingness to move was in acquiring Arraez. “He had mentioned it before. He’s mentioned it periodically that he’d be happy to do that. We haven’t been in a position to seriously consider it because it really hasn’t been a necessity. His volunteering opened up the door for us to go ahead and get an infielder.”
Harper and Dombrowski both confirmed that this move will only be for 2026. Harper will return to first base for the 2027 season.
Brooks Raley and Caleb Kilian
The Phillies bullpen got the biggest improvement today, adding proven lefty Brooks Raley and under-the-radar Caleb Kilian to the mix. Both players, along with Arraez, will join the team on Tuesday.
Dombrowski said the team was intrigued by Kilian, and even got some Jonathan Bowlan-like comparisons from people in the organization. Raley, a 38-year-old lefty rental, has pitched to a 1.96 ERA in 2026 and may immediately be the Phillies’ most trustworthy southpaw out of the bullpen. Kilian will slot in somewhere, but is under control for five more seasons.
With Seth Johnson traded moments before tonight’s game, one of those guys will take Johnson’s spot. I’d assume, at this point, that the odd-man out would be Kyle Bacchus, to make room for the second reliever addition. We’ll know more about roster moves on Tuesday once Arraez, Raley, and Kilian report to the team.
Bryan De La Cruz
Bryan De La Cruz is going to get a lot of run against left-handed pitching, and it’ll happen in left field. As of now, the plan seems to be a platoon with Brandon Marsh and De La Cruz. Dave Dombrowski said the Phillies liked De La Cruz all the way back in spring training, but preferred him to stay in AAA to receive everyday playing time. The Phillies, at the time, had Adolis Garcia, Brandon Marsh, and Justin Crawford as their primary outfielders, with Otto Kemp off of the bench.
De La Cruz has impressed in his short time with the Phillies, and the team hopes he continues to hit the way he has through his first 9 games. They’re going to need the thump from the right side of the plate that De La Cruz has showed so far.
Updated on Aidan Miller and Gage Wood
Aidan Miller is “doing the same” at this point, which is rehabbing, according to Dave Dombrowski, but notes that Miller is “continuing to progress.” Dombrowski said that they’re “hopeful” that Miller gets in games this year, which was their original plan from the beginning of the season when the injury first occurred.
Gage Wood will continue to start in Double-A, Dombrowski said. They will continue to monitor his innings and will be careful with him. Dombrowski said they have not discussed any situation where Wood pitches in the big leagues in 2026 at this time.
Alec Bohm
Alec Bohm, in an expiring contract, will play first base for the rest of the 2026 season. He has struggled in 2026, posting just a .647 OPS and a 73 OPS+.
When asked why the Phillies kept Alec Bohm, when they could have flipped him to upgrade an area of need, Dombrowski said the following:
Well, he’s got close to 60 RBIs and 13-14 homers. I mean, it sounds like, and I know frustrations can rise when you see, it was a good point made by a scout… When you see a player everyday, you have a tendency to look at their downside. But if you compare his numbers, how many guys have more RBIs than him? We think he’s a good player
Luke Arcaini has been writing about the Phillies for 6 seasons, and is now in his 2nd year covering for Phillies down at Citizens Bank Park for Crossing Broad. Follow him on Twitter @ArcainiLuke