Dombrowski wants defense and a Turner answer as Phillies reshape 2027
Dave Dombrowski said the Phillies need to get better defensively, and that starts with a clearer answer at shortstop. Earlier this week, the club also began reshaping its staff and bullpen around Don Mattingly’s return, so the offseason plan is coming into focus fast.
Shortstop becomes the central question
Dombrowski said Thursday that Trea Turner is still the Phillies’ shortstop for now, but the leash is not open-ended. He said Turner must play better defense in 2027 or move positions, which puts the team’s biggest infield decision right at the center of the winter plan.
A Forbes report this morning framed the Phillies as having a “really, really good” infield replacement in mind, with Yahoo Sports similarly suggesting the club could have a target lined up. The exact name is not in the reporting, but the direction is clear: the front office wants a sturdier infield if Turner does not hold the job long term.
Sources: Forbes, Yahoo Sports, MLB.com
Mattingly’s staff and philosophy are taking shape
Earlier this week, the Phillies confirmed Don Mattingly is back as manager and said hitting coach Kevin Long and infield coach Bobby Dickerson will not return. Mattingly also said he wants the team to be less cautious in his first full year on the job, which fits with the broader push for a more aggressive, cleaner operation.
That matters because the Phillies are trying to address more than one problem at once: defense and the run game. The coaching changes suggest the club is not treating this as a small-tweak offseason.
Sources: MLB.com, Philliesnation
Bullpen depth is already part of the plan
The bullpen side is moving more quickly than the lineup side. MLB.com reported Friday that the Phillies brought back Matt Mayza on a one-year deal, and Sports Illustrated noted the next relief group is already taking shape around Jhoan Duran, Jonathan Bowlan, Alex McFarlane and Caleb Kilian.
That gives Philadelphia a little structure while the bigger questions stay unresolved. The record was 88-74, and the last game was a 6-2 loss at Atlanta on Oct. 1, so the club is building from a team that still had wins but not enough answers in October.
Sources: MLB.com, Sports Illustrated, Reutersconnect
Further reading
- Phillies Boss Pinpoints ‘Really, Really Good’ Infield Replacement After Trea Turner Decision (Forbes)
- Phillies Boss Pinpoints ‘Really, Really Good’ Infield Replacement After Trea Turner Decision (Yahoo Sports)
- Dombrowski offers insights into the Phillies' offseason agenda (MLB.com)
- Turner must play better shortstop in '27 or change positions, Dombrowski says (MLB.com)
- Mattingly vows for Phils to be less 'cautious' in first full year as skipper (MLB.com)
- Long, Dickerson will not return to Phillies staff in '27 (MLB.com)
- Don Mattingly wants to address Phillies run game that fell off in second half – Phillies Nation (Philliesnation)
- Phillies bring back Mayza on 1-year deal (MLB.com)
- Phillies Bullpen for Next Season Already Rounding Into Shape (Sports Illustrated)
- Mesa Solar Sox @ Surprise Saguaros | 10/16/2026 | Philadelphia Phillies (MLB.com)
- MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at Detroit Tigers (Reutersconnect)
Philly Sport Daily writes this brief each morning with the help of AI, working only from the reporting linked above. Spot an error? Let us know @sport_philly.