The Phillies are (finally) changing the vibes

The vibes are changing.

On Thursday, the Phillies made official what long seemed logical: Garrett Stubbs was optioned to Triple-A, clearing the way for Rafael Marchan to act as J.T. Realmuto’s primary backup catcher this season.

The on-the-surface reason is impossible to argue: Marchan was out of options, thus subject to waivers if the Phillies tried to send him back down. There’s a very real chance another team would have claimed him. Having Marchan in the majors and Stubbs as insurance in Triple-A is way better for the organization than Stubbs here and Marchan gone. And as the Phillies enter the final year of Realmuto’s deal, finding out what kind of workload Marchan can handle is a big part of the calculus on the future of the position.

But, what about the vibes?

Do those not matter anymore in a clubhouse that seemed to thrive on them for back-to-back deep playoff runs in 2022 and 2023?