The Philadelphia Phillies made a curious outfield move, signing Max Kepler to a one-year deal according to MLB.com reporters Todd Zolecki and Mark Feinsand. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Kepler will receive $10 million in the one-year deal. Outfield has been a key area of need for the Phillies this offseason. It remains to be seen if more outfield moves will be made. Kepler joins relief pitcher Jordan Romano as the Phillies’ two major league signings this offseason. Both Kepler and Romano are on one-year deals. Kepler, like Romano, is a lower-risk, high-reward signing for the Phillies. There are still improvements that need to be made to the Phillies’ roster this offseason.
Phillies, OF Max Kepler reportedly agree to deal pending physical, per https://t.co/Z3s2EpgF39‘s @ToddZolecki. pic.twitter.com/BGFBVbBfhv
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Kepler had a .253/.302/.380 line with eight home runs and 42 RBI in 105 games for the Minnesota Twins in 2024. He also had a 94 wRC+ and a .300 BABIP last season. Kepler did miss some time with injuries in 2o24. The last time he played more than 140 games in a regular season was in 2018. 2019 was the most recent season where Kepler had 500 or more plate appearances. He had a 20.1% strikeout rate and a 5.5% walk rate last season and ranked in the 34th percentile in chase rate, according to Baseball Savant. Kepler previously had not had a season where he ranked in the 45th percentile or worse in chase rate. In his career, Kepler has a 18.6% strikeout rate and a 9.7% walk rate.
Max Kepler Signing Shakes Up Phillies Outfield
Given the Phillies’ lineup construction, it was expected that they would add a right-handed outfield bat. Kepler is a left-handed batter. Brandon Marsh could be on the move as a result. It is also possible that the Phillies have platoons in both left field and center field next season. Randal Grichuk would make sense for a platoon role if that is what the Phillies decide. In all likelihood, Johan Rojas will be involved in the center field platoon. A lot of this remains up in the air at the moment. The Phillies have more work to do this offseason. It is somewhat concerning that the Phillies lineup is becoming too lefty-heavy. The lineup needs some more balance. However, given the Phillies’ current roster construction, it will be hard to achieve this.
Kepler has not played left field in the majors, but is presumably in line to be the Phillies left fielder in 2025 as things currently stand. He has 159 major league appearances in center field and 927 in right field. Nick Castellanos does not have a major league regular season appearance in left field since 2022. Castellanos has 23 career major league appearances in left field for comparison. During the offseason, Castellanos has been considered a trade candidate, though it is unlikely that he is ultimately traded. He has two years and $40 million left on his contract. Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported a few weeks ago that the Phillies would need to eat most of the contract to facilitate a trade, and that is probably not happening.
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