Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies have officially hired Dave Dombrowski as their president of baseball operations, the team announced on Friday.

The Athletic's Jayson Stark first reported Thursday that the two sides were in "advanced stages of serious talks."

The team's managing general partner, John Middleton, "approached Dombrowski again this week, after two candidates—the Twins' Thad Levine and the Dodgers' Josh Byrnes—withdrew their names from consideration. This time, after a series of conversations with Middleton and Phillies president Andy MacPhail, Dombrowski decided the Phillies' job was an attractive enough option to revisit."

Dombrowski, 64, had signed a four-year deal to serve as an adviser to Music City Baseball, a group attempting to bring an MLB franchise to Nashville, Tennessee, and told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal in early November that he wasn't interested in leaving the group to pursue a job with other MLB teams. 

"I'm staying in Nashville," he said. "I gave the individual here (John Loar, the head of Music City Baseball) a commitment when I moved here that as we continue to pursue a new team—expansion, relocation or if it goes nowhere—that I would stay here with them."

In his long and successful front-office career, Dombrowski served as the Montreal Expos general manager (1988-91), the Florida Marlins general manager (1992-2001), the president and general manager of the Detroit Tigers (2002-15) and the vice president of baseball operations for the Boston Red Sox (2016-19).

He won World Series titles with the Marlins (1997) and Red Sox (2018) and also reached the Series with the Tigers twice (2006, 2012).

His experience building winners would make him a solid hire for a Phillies team with some talented pieces in place like Bryce Harper and Aaron Nola, but one that has underachieved since bringing Harper aboard in 2019. It would also mean that the Phillies, believed likely to cut payroll this offseason, might commit to spending money after all. 

Former MLB star Dick Allen died Monday at the age of 78, as announced on his personal Twitter account:

The Philadelphia Phillies also released a statement on Allen's passing:

Allen played nine seasons with the Phillies, also spending time with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals and Oakland Athletics over his 15-year major league career. In that time, he won the 1972 AL MVP Award, 1964 NL Rookie of the Year Award and earned seven All-Star selections.

The impressive career also included 1,848 hits and 351 home runs, twice leading the league in homers.

His offensive production is among the best in baseball history, ranking 19th all-time with a 156 OPS+.

Despite his success on the field, he was not inducted into the Hall of Fame, never getting more than 20 percent of the vote from the BBWAA in 14 years on the ballot and falling well short of the 75 percent needed for inclusion.

Allen also faced significant backlash during his playing career from 1963-77, including criticism from fans and the press while notably getting in a fight with teammate Frank Thomas, as detailed by Andrew B. Distler of The Undefeated.

The Golden Era Veterans Committee was set to vote on his Hall of Fame inclusion Sunday, but it was delayed due to COVID-19, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The Philadelphia Phillies might say they aren't planning to trade starting pitcher Zack Wheeler, but other teams get the impression he is available for a deal.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, "three high-ranking executives on other teams confirmed" the initial report from ESPN's Buster Olney that the Phillies are open to offers.

John Middleton, the team's principal owner, has denied he is willing to move Wheeler.

"If they offered me Babe Ruth, I wouldn't trade him," Middleton said Sunday, per Olney. "I have authorized no one to have a conversation about trading him."

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Phillies said the initial report was untrue and that they aren’t even "entertaining" offers for Wheeler.

Middleton might want to hold on to Wheeler, but the team's financial issues could cause problems.

Bill Madden of the New York Daily News reported the owner told his staff the organization lost $145 million in 2020, which may prevent it from going after any top free agents this offseason.

Wheeler is the second-highest-paid player on the Phillies behind Bryce Harper. The pitcher signed a five-year, $118 million deal a year ago and is set to make $22.5 million in 2021.

The 30-year-old lived up to expectations during his first year in Philadelphia, producing a 2.92 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 11 starts.

However, the team struggled overall and finished 28-32 while missing the expanded postseason. If star catcher J.T. Realmuto leaves in free agency, the Phillies could be headed toward a rebuild that might include trading away top assets.

Amid rumors that the Philadelphia Phillies were listening to trade offers for righthanded pitcher Zack Wheeler, the team's managing partner and owner John Middleton said there's no truth to the reports—and no player who would be worth a deal.

"If they offered me Babe Ruth, I wouldn't trade him," Middleton told ESPN's Buster Olney on Sunday, also mentioning MLB legends Ted Williams and Mike Schmidt. 

Olney reported Sunday that the Phillies told other teams they would listen to offers for their second most-expensive player as the franchise is "facing tough financial decisions." 

Middleton said he "authorized no one" to talk about trading the 30-year-old, and anyone who did so is "lying."

Wheeler has four years remaining on a five-year, $118 million contract that he signed last December, while the Phillies also have the massive 13-year, $330 million deal they signed with Bryce Harper on their books. 

Per Olney, Middleton said the franchise is set to lose more than $100 million due to the effect of the coronavirus pandemic. After missing the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season, the team parted ways with general manager Matt Klentak and fired 80 front-office employees.

In the shortened 2020 season, Wheeler's first with a team other than the New York Mets, he made 11 starts and posted a 2.92 ERA alongside Aaron Nola at the forefront of the rotation. A departure of Wheeler would provide another problem for the struggling Phillies pitching staff, which boasts a bullpen that posted a 7.06 ERA—the worst since the league expanded in 1961 (h/t Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer).

But per Olney's report, it seems as though Wheeler will be here to stay in 2021 to help Philadelphia in its quest for its first winning record since 2011. 

The Philadelphia Phillies are not planning to trade outfielder Bryce Harper despite the team facing a financial crunch amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Buster Olney of ESPN reported the Phillies are open to trading Zach Wheeler as they attempt to shave costs for the 2021 season.

The Phillies were among baseball's most active teams in free agency the previous two winters, signing Harper (13 years, $330 million) and Wheeler (five years, $118 million) to massive deals in addition to adding the likes of Jean Segura and J.T. Realmuto via trade. Realmuto is a free agent this offseason and is expected to command perhaps the sport's largest contract to a catcher.

Harper has been an outspoken proponent of the team re-signing Realmuto. 

Phillies majority owner John S. Middleton has a net worth of $3.4 billion, per Forbes. Middleton largely made his fortune by selling his family's tobacco business in 2007, so his outside revenue is not as high as some other owners who have successful business ventures away from baseball.

The Phillies laid off more than 80 employees last month, citing financial issues. 

MLB is expected to take a significant financial hit during the 2021 season with most stadiums playing without fans, although the losses will likely not be as large as 2020. 

One year after signing Zack Wheeler to a five-year, $118 million deal, the Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly put the starting pitcher on the trade block.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Phillies are "facing a financial crunch and are open to offers" for Wheeler. However, the Phillies later denied the report to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, saying they "are not shopping or even entertaining" offers for Wheeler.

The 30-year-old produced a 4-2 record and 2.92 ERA in 11 starts during his first season in Philadelphia last year, but he is set to make $22.5 million in 2021.

Only Bryce Harper is scheduled to make more for the team next year with $27.54 million owed.

The money could be an issue for Philadelphia after lost revenue because of the COVID-19 pandemic last season. Owner John Middleton reportedly told his staff the organization lost $145 million in 2020 and the team won't be able to re-sign J.T. Realmuto or go after other top free agents, per Bill Madden of the New York Daily News.

The team also reportedly laid off 80 employees from front office positions in November, per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports.

These issues are now seemingly affecting those currently on the roster, with Wheeler being linked to a trade.

The right-hander could certainly provide value to another team willing to pay his salary. Wheeler had dealt with inconsistency in the past with the New York Mets but has finished the last three years with an ERA below four, earning 3.53 strikeouts per walk in this stretch. 

He only allowed three home runs in 2020, with his 0.4 home runs per nine innings allowed leading the National League.

It could provide incentive for a contender to part with future assets to upgrade the rotation for 2021 and beyond.

Philadelphia Phillies infielder Jean Segura reportedly is drawing trade interest from multiple teams across Major League Baseball, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman: 

MLB Insider Robert Murray noted the Toronto Blue Jays are among the clubs discussing a move for the 30-year-old.

In two years with the Phillies, Segura has slashed .276/.329/.421 with 19 home runs and 85 RBI. He's under contract through the 2023 season with a club option after 2022. The Phillies are set to pay the shortstop $14.25 million per season each of the next two years. 

It's unclear which other teams are looking at making a move for Segura, but there's been no shortage of interest in the Dominican for the better part of a decade.

After rising through the Los Angeles Angels organization, he was acquired by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2012, spending four seasons in Wisconsin before the Arizona Diamondbacks nabbed him in a 2016 offseason trade. Segura would be dealt to the Seattle Mariners the following November and joined the Phillies two years later.

Now it appears he could be on the move again as Philadelphia re-evaluates its roster just two years into the Bryce Harper era. 

The landscape of the National League East has quickly shifted since 2019, with the Atlanta Braves becoming the division's dominant franchise shortly after the Washington Nationals won the World Series. With the Miami Marlins surging and the New York Mets ready to spend top dollar under new chairman Steve Cohen, the Phillies are at risk of falling to the bottom of the division.

With a playoff drought that goes back nine seasons—second-longest in MLB—Philadelphia is at a point where it must evaluate every option it has. Trading Segura is certainly one of them. 

Former Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs general manager Theo Epstein is not interested in the Philadelphia Phillies' open GM position, per Jayson Stark of The Athletic:

"Sources who have spoken with Epstein told The Athletic that the Phillies’ managing partner, John Middleton, made contact with the outgoing Cubs president of baseball ops. But the Phillies were informed that Epstein isn’t interested in the job at this time. As expected, Epstein intends to step away from the front-office grind for at least a year."

Epstein worked as Boston's general manager from 2002-2011 before becoming the Cubs' president of baseball operations from 2011-2020. He stepped down from the Cubs' job Nov. 20.

Both teams broke World Series droughts during Epstein's tenure: The Red Sox won in 2004 after an 86-year streak, and the Cubs took home the Fall Classic for the first time in 108 years with their 2016 victory.

Epstein orchestrated some key moves for the 2004 Red Sox team, including hiring manager Terry Francona, signing designated hitter David Ortiz and third baseman Bill Mueller and trading for staff ace Curt Schilling.

Boston won another World Series in 2007. That team featured a fantastic Epstein draft pick in 2008 American League MVP Dustin Pedroia and 20-game winner Josh Beckett, who the GM traded for before the 2006 season.

In Chicago, Epstein picked 2016 National League MVP Kris Bryant in the 2013 draft, acquired staff ace Jake Arietta via trade and signed rotation stalwart Jon Lester to a long-term deal among other moves that helped the Cubs win the 2016 World Series.

Ultimately, Epstein should have his choice of jobs if and when he decides to return to an MLB front office. For now, this offseason will be the first without Epstein running a team in two decades.

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is now a father of two. 

The 28-year-old and his wife, Kayla, announced the birth of their daughter, Brooklyn Elizabeth Harper, in a pair of Instagram posts Sunday.

The couple's first child, Krew Aron Harper, was born in August 2019. 

Philadelphia Phillies star J.T. Realmuto is expected to draw interest from both the New York Yankees and New York Mets in free agency, but Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports reported the catcher "would like to remain in Philadelphia and is not particularly keen on playing in New York." 

However, Salisbury indicated Realmuto would still go "where the record-setting money is" if a team were to outbid the Phillies this offseason.

The 29-year-old is expected to be one of the top players on the open market this year after hitting 11 home runs in 47 games during the shortened 2020 season, adding a .266 batting average and a career-high .840 OPS.

Realmuto already had two All-Star selections, two Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove award on his resume entering the year.

With his impact both offensively and defensively, there will be no shortage of interested teams creating a significant bidding war.

Salisbury previously reported the catcher will try to break Joe Mauer's record for a catcher of $23 million per year, while he reportedly was also looking for a deal that will make him more than $200 million overall.

The Phillies haven't given many indications they want to pay that much, with managing partner John Middleton noting the uncertainty about future revenue will hold the team back.

"I have no idea what we're going to be allowed," he said in early October regarding fans at the stadium, per Todd Zolecki of the team's official site. "Obviously, that will determine our revenues, and revenues determine what you can do and what you can't do."

Realmuto might want to stay in Philadelphia, but it will apparently require a competitive offer.