Aug 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Max Kepler signs autographs next to the Phillies dugout at Citizens Bank Park. (Grace Del Pizzo/On Pattison)
PHILADELPHIA — It's unclear what combination of Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Ranger Suárez and Harrison Bader — assuming he declines his half of a mutual option — that the Phillies will re-sign this offseason.
But in his year-end press conference Thursday, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski did point out two veterans set to become free agents that the Phillies probably won't re-sign this winter.
As part of a larger answer on how he balances the results from the 162-game regular season with the four-game NLDS series that the Phillies lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Dombrowski suggested that Max Kepler likely won't be back in 2026.
"Max Kepler, I think, did a solid job for us," Dombrowski said. "Well, he's not gonna, most likely, be back because he's a free agent and we have Justin Crawford coming. So there's a built in type of adjustment."
It's not particularly surprising to hear that Kepler isn't returning. While he generally played good defense all season and found more offensive success later in the year when being platooned, Kepler hit only .216 with a .691 OPS across 417 at-bats for the Phillies in 2025. Considering he signed for $10 million, that was disappointing production.
Kepler hit seven home runs and drove in 19 runs between August, September and October, which probably was enough to earn him an MLB deal in 2026 with a team looking for a platoon partner with a right-handed hitter. He, though, will certainly be looking at a paycut in 2026.
Regardless, Kepler appears to be one and done in Philadelphia. As Dombrowski alluded to, Crawford is looming, and there are some who believe he'll be a better fit in left field than center field. Brandon Marsh has two remaining years of arbitration eligibility. The Phillies don't really need another left-handed hitting corner outfielder.
Otto Kemp appears poised to take on larger role for Phillies in 2026
[image or embed]— Tim Kelly (@timkellysports.bsky.social) October 17, 2025 at 12:01 PM
When discussing the bullpen later on, Dombrowski didn't rule out David Robertson ever coming back to the Phillies, but suggested re-signing him this offseason is unlikely.
"David Robertson's not gonna be back with us to start the season," Dombrowski revealed. "I don't think he wants to pitch in the beginning of the season anymore throughout his lifespan."
Robertson rejoined the Phillies in August, adding a third chapter to one of the strangest legacies in franchise history. Robertson is one of just three players to ever had three separate stints with the Phillies. Despite this, he's still only made 49 career regular-season appearances as a Phillie.
The third stint in red pinstripes for Robertson did include him recording a save in Los Angeles on Sept. 15 against the Dodgers to lock down the club's second straight NL East title.
The moment the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the NL East: pic.twitter.com/EA5Su4HAB1
However, he posted a 4.08 ERA in 20 total appearances this season, and Rob Thomson's decision to bring him back out for the seventh inning of Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers after he finished off the sixth proved to be a mistake. Robertson and Matt Strahm combined to cough up a 3-2 lead in the seventh, with the Dodgers ultimately taking Game 1 at Citizens Bank Park 5-3.
Still, Robertson told On Pattison's Anthony SanFilippo in August that he didn't anticipate 2025 being his final season, and that he wasn't sure if he just planned to sign midseason for the remainder of his career.
"There definitely is that feeling when you start a season with the guys and you build up," Robertson said. "Your baseball IQ goes up. Your feeling on the field goes up. Everything is a lot tighter and easier and it just comes more naturally every day when you're doing that routine. ... But it would have to be the right place and the right time and my wife let's me do it, because I'm not getting a divorce attorney."
Robertson will turn 41 next April. There's a real possibility that if he wants to pitch somewhere next season, he'll get the opportunity to do so. He may have to wait until the summer again, but there are always teams in need of bullpen help. And hey, if he plays somewhere else in 2026, that leaves open the future possibility of him becoming the first player to ever have four stints with the Phillies.
