Dave Dombrowski Haunted by Familiar Enemy in NLDS

Dave Dombrowski brought a championship pedigree to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020. The only front office executive who has advanced to the World Series with four different MLB franchises sparked a return to contention in three consecutive playoff appearances.

However, as the 68-year-old watched the New York Mets steal the 2024 season, he must’ve felt defeated by a familiar enemy.

Related Content: Phillies Need Major Changes After 2nd Playoff Failure

The vaunted Phillies bullpen loaded with power arms and pitchers in excellent rhythm entering the MLB Postseason stunningly failed in four straight National League Division Series games. 

A loaded lineup of expensive sluggers underperformed also, but no MLB team will win a playoff series with an 11.37 bullpen ERA.

The Phillies approached the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline with the best record in baseball. Like most World Series contenders, they sought bullpen arms capable of pitching tight postseason innings.

Bob Nightengale spoke astutely on 97.5 The Fanatic about how Dombrowski might prioritize relief help more competitively than most front office executives.

Rewind back to 2013. Dombrowski had resurrected the Detroit Tigers into a World Series hopeful. They couldn’t capitalize on the heart of their contention window in a heartbreaking ALCS loss against the eventual World Series champion Boston Red Sox.

The Tigers took Game 1 and jumped to a 5-0 lead in Game 2 at Fenway Park. Their bullpen let the Red Sox back in the series.

What was the turning point of the ALCS? Joaquin Benoit allowed a dramatic tying grand slam to David Ortiz in in the eighth inning of Game 2. The Tigers lost 6-5 and ultimately dropped the series in six games. 

Fast forward to his window of World Series contention with the Phillies. Dombrowski inked Craig Kimbrel to a one-year deal worth $10 million to improve a talented bullpen seemingly in need of a veteran arm to lock down the ninth inning in 2023.

Kimbrel started hot and closed the MLB All-Star Game in his only season in Philadelphia. He faded down the stretch in the regular season and burned Dombrowski in the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The veteran closer took the loss on a walk-off hit by Ketel Marte in Game 3. He entered in the eighth inning the following day with the Phillies ahead 5-3. A home run off the bat of Alek Thomas tied the game, and Kimbrel took a second loss after Jose Alvarado allowed an inherited runner to cross the plate.

A long-time success like Dave Dombrowski has also executed the right bullpen moves to earn his impressive hardware. However, he fully recognizes that even one implosion can sink a playoff run.

Dombrowski reshuffled his bullpen aggressively at the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline. He moved homegrown success Seranthony Dominguez and power arm Gregory Soto to the Baltimore Orioles.

He pulled the trigger to acquire impending free agent Carlos Estevez from the Los Angeles Angels. Dombrowski himself admitted that sending a prospect return package of George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri was somewhat of an overpay.

Dombrowski also landed Tanner Banks in a last-minute deal with the Chicago White Sox.

His bullpen trust tree was complete. He had pulled the rug out from under the Tampa Bay Rays in December 2020 in his first trade with the Phillies to acquire and develop fireballer Jose Alvarado.

Low-risk additions Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman were throwing like two of the best middle relievers in baseball after earning unlikely All-Star selections.

Orion Kerkering had developed into a high-leverage reliever with a nasty sweeper and high velocity on his fastball at age 23.

Estevez was supposed to bring the “bulldog" approach in the ninth inning that Kimbrel failed to provide against the Diamondbacks. 

The Mets tagged the bullpen in the NLDS for six earned runs in Game 1, four in Game 2, two in Game 3, and four in Game 4. Hoffman lost his command. Alvarado wasn't effective in minimal usage. The Mets were well-prepared to hit seemingly shutdown guys in Kerkering and Strahm.

If Dombrowski had past bullpen failures on his mind before the MLB Trade Deadline, he’ll certainly recognize the irony of overpaying for Estevez only to see a devastating grand slam off the bat of Francisco Lindor in the elimination game.

Dave Dombrowski shifted the mentality of the organization before the run to the World Series in 2022. Kyle Schwarber became the heart and soul of the Phillies after a turning point signing. The decision to replace Joe Girardi with Rob Thomson might’ve been Dombrowski’s best idea with the Phillies.

The decision to acquire Brandon Marsh in July 2022 and release Jeurys Familia and Odubel Herrera days later reshaped the perception of his fan base and the rhythm of a team that hadn’t reached the postseason in 11 years.

The minor league development system led by the inherited Brian Barber and Dombrowski hire Preston Mattingly has improved. Members of the organization consistently laud the readiness of Triple A players who stepped into the majors and became instant contributors this season.

However, Dombrowski’s moves failed the 2024 Phillies. He kept most of the 2023 roster intact after the NLCS collapse because of confidence in the makeup of the group. The reputable clubhouse culture didn't produce results.

Estevez caved at the worst time. Tanner Banks made very minimal contributions. Deadline acquisition Austin Hays struggled to stay healthy and underperformed while he was on the field.

All three could depart in the offseason to join the ranks of forgettable recent deadline acquisitions like Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy, and Noah Syndergaard.

Signing Whit Merrifield as an expected platoon player to cover depth weakness at the bottom of the order brought nothing to the team. Lineup depth became a notable hole by the end of the season and in the playoffs.

Reported interest in Tanner Scott and Garrett Crochet in July indicate the likelihood of a more aggressive upcoming offseason strategy. Dombrowski’s inactive approach to the MLB Winter Meetings didn’t align with the moves that brought him two World Series rings.

Don’t expect Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies to “run it back” in 2025.

“Obviously, we’re going to have some guys that are out of this clubhouse. That’s a job for Dave and John (Middleton) to figure out what they want to do.” -Bryce Harper