What In The World Is Rob Thomson Doing??
“What in the world is Rob Thomson Doing?” That was the question being asked in living rooms across the Delaware Valley Monday night as the Phillies fell to the Baltimore Orioles for their 4th loss in 5 games. Actually, those questions were being posed long before the game started, as a lineup that featured multiple backups was posted ahead of the game. In a game that the Phils ended up losing 3-2, I think we all agree that some extra offense from Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh, or JT Realmuto would’ve been welcome. Unfortunately, though, the lineup was just the start of the managerial mishaps for Thomson when it comes to this game.
Early on in the game, Johan Rojas looped a ball out to center which Orioles outfielder Aaron Hicks laid out for awkwardly, injuring himself in the process. It immediately looked like he had rolled over the baseball, and a quick replay showed an angle where the ball was clearly dislodged from Hicks’ glove. The Phillies, unbelievably, chose not to use their challenge on the play, though. Even Kyle Schwarber, who was on deck during the play, instantly turned to the dugout and voiced that the ball was dropped, but to no avail. It seemed to be a clear choice, and yet, the Phillies chose not to take it. If you want to make the argument that Rob Thomson is not 100% in charge of replay calls, that’s fine, but when a trusted veteran outfielder on your team adamantly tells you to challenge, I think that’s worth consideration. Misstep number two.
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As the game continued on, and got into the crunch time of the later innings, the “What in the world is Rob Thomson doing” questions only increased. A couple of tough baserunning decisions by Johan Rojas and Bryce Harper cost the Phillies opportunities late. That has been a theme all year. Once again, Rob Thomson might not be 100% in charge of baserunning, but it is his job as manager to correct bad trends he sees with his team. The constant baserunning blunders this year have warranted correction, and yet, it doesn’t seem that Thomson has done enough to change that trend. It could’ve led to a situation where the Phillies were up late in this game, but instead, they found themselves tied heading into the 9th. That’s when the most questionable of all of Thomson’s decisions was made.
You’re in a tie ballgame in the 9th inning. Kyle Schwarber had just batted, and he is the worst fielder in all of baseball. It seemed to be a no-brainer to insert Brandon Marsh, a plus defensive outfielder, for Schwarber in order to give extra defensive support. Instead, Schwarber trotted out to left for the 9th, and just missed a ball hit down the line that would lead to the winning run for the Orioles. It wasn’t a bad effort by Schwarber at all; he sold out to try and make the catch. Despite coming close to making the play, though, it’s hard to imagine Marsh would not have given it a better bid. It was a brutal loss for the Phillies, and the manager’s fingerprints were all over it.
Rob Thomson deserves to be highly criticized after this game. Just poor management left and right in this one .
— Connor Thomas (@ConnorThomas975) July 25, 2023
If the Phillies are going to make a true push for the playoffs in the next couple months, there need to be a lot less “What in the world is Rob Thomson doing?” questions the rest of the way.
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What About Juan Soto?
The last name they asked about was Juan Soto. He took a flight back to Philadelphia for this weekend’s Phillies-Padres series with the Phillies’ other All-Stars. His name has also been floated for the Phillies. Buster Olney did question whether he is actually on the market though.
“Unless there is a dramatic change with San Diego… I don’t see them putting Soto out there. It makes sense to me that they could. We haven’t seen anything that indicates they are close to an extension with Soto, who is a free agent after the 2024 season. If you are going to get the most value in return, now is the time to do it.
But the one thing that has been pointed out to me by executives of other teams is that the Padres will probably look at the offers from other teams for Soto and hold their nose. Wait a second, we are going to get 40% back on the dollar for what we gave up last year?
The perception in the industry is they really overpaid to get him last year. That will be a hard sell for the Padres owner. And there is enough talent there that it wouldn’t surprise me to see them try to play it out as long as they can because they are so committed after what they spent this year.”
Juan Soto #22 of the San Diego Padres reacts during the 93rd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at T-Mobile Park on July 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.
