The Philadelphia Phillies made a puzzling move on Thursday night, aiming to strengthen their outfield.
As reported by multiple outlets, including ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Phillies signed 31-year-old outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million contract. Kepler is coming off a season with the Minnesota Twins where he slashed .253/.302/.380, hit just eight home runs, posted a career-low 91 OPS+, and was limited to 105 games due to right knee and hip injuries.
Originally signed by the Twins out of Germany, Kepler became the second German-born player to reach the major leagues. He spent 10 seasons with Minnesota before hitting free agency.
Kepler’s standout season came in 2019 when he smashed 36 home runs, recorded an .855 OPS, a 123 OPS+, and a 4.0 WAR.
What does Max Kepler bring to the Philadelphia Phillies?
The signing of Max Kepler by the Phillies raises questions about his fit on the team. While Kepler has experience playing right and center field, he has never played left field. With Nick Castellanos seemingly locked into right field unless the Phillies find a way to trade him and the remaining two years and $40 million on his contract, Kepler’s role is unclear.
As a left-handed hitter who performs better against righties, Kepler’s profile is similar to that of left fielder Brandon Marsh. However, given the $10 million deal, it seems the Phillies envision Kepler as an everyday player rather than a platoon option. This could push Marsh into a platoon role in center field with Johan Rojas, despite Marsh’s numbers suggesting he’s more effective in left.
Kepler’s place in a lineup already loaded with left-handed hitters—including Marsh, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and Bryson Stott—is another mystery. The Phillies had been searching for a power-hitting corner outfielder, but Kepler doesn’t fit the bill. Over his 10-year career, he’s hit 161 home runs but has posted a below-average OPS+ of 98 or worse in six of those seasons.
Durability is also a concern, as Kepler hasn’t played more than 130 games in a season since 2019 and has been on the injured list nine times in his career. Additionally, his 30.5% chase rate, as reported by Baseball Savant, adds to concerns, especially for a team that has struggled with plate discipline.
This signing also raises the question of whether the Phillies are now out of the running for free-agent All-Star outfielders like Anthony Santander or Teoscar Hernández. That remains uncertain.
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