The Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract, positioning the veteran as the team’s starting left fielder.
He spent his entire 10-year MLB career with the Minnesota Twins, has a .237 career batting average, 161 home runs, and 508 RBIs over 1,072 games. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski expressed confidence in his ability to handle the everyday role in left field. “We think he can,” Dombrowski said.
In 2024, he was limited to 105 games due to injuries, managing just eight home runs and 42 RBIs. He underwent offseason core surgery to address a sports hernia and also dealt with left patellar tendinitis during the season.
“Max was very clear—he didn’t want to make excuses,” Dombrowski said. “But injuries like that affect you. It’s tough to play through them.”
Max Kepler has performed well at Citizens Bank Park, hitting four home runs in six games with a .955 slugging percentage across 23 plate appearances. Signed by the Twins as a teenager out of Germany, Kepler is expected to adjust smoothly to his new role with the Phillies.
With Kepler in left field, the Phillies will maintain Nick Castellanos in right, while Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas will share center field duties. “We think it’s easier to leave Nick in right field,” Dombrowski said. “Max is ready to adapt, and we’re confident in the transition.”
Philadelphia’s offseason has been relatively quiet after their NL East title and subsequent playoff exit against the Mets in the NL Division Series. Their only other major move was signing All-Star closer Jordan Romano to a one-year, $8.5 million deal. Romano, a two-time All-Star with the Blue Jays, has 105 saves and a 2.90 ERA in 231 career relief appearances.
Despite their $300 million-plus payroll, Dombrowski indicated the Phillies are unlikely to pursue additional high-impact free agents. “I wouldn’t say it’s a tight payroll, but we’re mindful of the penalties at this level,” he said.
As for further roster moves, Dombrowski noted the team is exploring options for a fifth starter who could also pitch out of the bullpen. “We’ll keep an open mind,” he added.
and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract on Friday, positioning him as the team’s starting left fielder.
Kepler, who spent his entire 10-year MLB career with the Minnesota Twins, has a .237 career batting average, 161 home runs, and 508 RBIs over 1,072 games. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski expressed confidence in Kepler’s ability to handle the everyday role in left field. “We think he can,” Dombrowski said.
In 2024, Kepler was limited to 105 games due to injuries, managing just eight home runs and 42 RBIs. He underwent offseason core surgery to address a sports hernia and also dealt with left patellar tendinitis during the season.
“Max was very clear—he didn’t want to make excuses,” Dombrowski said. “But injuries like that affect you. It’s tough to play through them.”
Kepler has performed well at Citizens Bank Park, hitting four home runs in six games with a .955 slugging percentage across 23 plate appearances. Signed by the Twins as a teenager out of Germany, Kepler is expected to adjust smoothly to his new role with the Phillies.
With Kepler in left field, the Phillies will maintain Nick Castellanos in right, while Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas will share center field duties. “We think it’s easier to leave Nick in right field,” Dombrowski said. “Max is ready to adapt, and we’re confident in the transition.”
Philadelphia’s offseason has been relatively quiet after their NL East title and subsequent playoff exit against the Mets in the NL Division Series. Their only other major move was signing All-Star closer Jordan Romano to a one-year, $8.5 million deal. Romano, a two-time All-Star with the Blue Jays, has 105 saves and a 2.90 ERA in 231 career relief appearances.
Despite their $300 million-plus payroll, Dombrowski indicated the Phillies are unlikely to pursue additional high-impact free agents. “I wouldn’t say it’s a tight payroll, but we’re mindful of the penalties at this level,” he said.
As for further roster moves, Dombrowski noted the team is exploring options for a fifth starter who could also pitch out of the bullpen. “We’ll keep an open mind,” he added.
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