Once the lockout officially ended on Thursday evening, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and a handful of other front-office officials kicked things into overdrive while stationed in Clearwater, Fla.
The Phillies roster as currently comprised needs several upgrades, particularly in the outfield.
“We’ve had conversations, I would say, with every club in baseball," Dombrowski said on Sunday at BayCare Ballpark. "We’ve talked to every agent that we possibly could. We’ve expressed interest. We’ve made progress on some things. It’s been productive, but we still have other work to do.”
Building an outfield remains high on Dombrowski's task list. As of now, the lone definite is Bryce Harper in rightfield. Reports have connected the Phillies with leftfield options in Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Michael Conforto, Nick Castellanos, and Jorge Soler, but nothing appears imminent.
Dombrowski skirted around questions about finances on Sunday, but says he feels supported by ownership to make a move if it makes sense.
"As far as competitive balance tax, I'd say we have ownership that's absolutely fantastic," Dombrowski told reporters in Clearwater. "They want to win, they're very supportive. I take the Fifth on what our budget will be. I've never found that that's very helpful to disclose to other people because I don't want to tip my hand on what we are or are not going to do. But I would say that I do not feel restricted at all."
Dombrowski mentioned that a platoon could be the answer for centerfield, noting that rookie Matt Vierling could see time in the starting lineup.
“So, with Harper in right, and then you’ve got Vierling, you may not look for two full-time guys,” Dombrowski said.
The other half of the centerfield platoon could be Odubel Herrera. Multiple sources on Sunday reported about a potential return to Philadelphia for the 30-year-old free agent. Herrera hit .260 last year for the Phillies while playing in 124 games. He posted a 95 OPS+ while hitting primarily from the leadoff spot. He spent the previous seven seasons with the Phillies before the club paid him $2.5 million to buy out his $11.5 million contract option for 2022.
An All-Star in 2016, Herrera has had a tumultuous history with the Phillies. He was suspended for 85 games for violating Major League Baseball's policy against domestic violence in 2019 and did not play in 2020.
Phillies Fodder
National League Cy Young Award winner runner-up Zack Wheeler is behind schedule and has not thrown off a mound since feeling soreness in his right shoulder in December. It's unclear at this point if he'll miss Opening Day ... Zach Eflin is progressing nicely from the patellar tendon surgery he had in September, and he may be ready for the start of the regular season ... Ranger Suarez is dealing with a visa issue and likely won't be in camp until later this week ... Manager Joe Girardi noted that Didi Gregorius and Bryson Stott enter camp in competition for the starting gig at shortstop.
