Is Dave Dombrowski ready to pivot?

Deep down, I hope we don’t find out. I want Kyle Schwarber back in a Phillies uniform in 2026 and beyond. You can worry about his age and lack of a defensive position. I’ll worry about watching him get on base and bash home runs for the next half decade, on the path to 500 home runs and a chance at the Hall of Fame.

But Schwarber is on the open market, and might be the belle of the ball when the Winter Meetings start this weekend.

What if he walks? Are the Phillies ready to act on their Plan B? What would that be?

Here’s what I would do if we soon have a Schwarber-sized hole in the lineup.

If you were expect this to be a “sign Pete Alonso!” take, you came to the wrong place. Alonso is good. His bat can be scary. He’s an accomplished slugger. In a vacuum, I wouldn’t hate the idea of signing him to replace Schwarber, play some first base and hit behind Bryce Harper as a true cleanup hitter in the order.

But I can’t get over how poorly I believe Alonso will age. He’s not in great shape. He never has been. When I watch him, I think of sluggers like Big Daddy Cecil Fielder or his son, Prince. Throw in Mo Vaughn or Boog Powell for good measure. When they fell off the proverbial cliff, it was over.

For me, Cody Bellinger would be the pivot. Stick him in the outfield, and find a lower-priced DH to take down some at-bats. Perhaps a reunion with old friend Rhys Hoskins. Or a different kind of DH in Luis Arraez.

The Phillies have had a static roster for a while. That might be on the verge of changing.

We reacted to the Jalen Carter injury news.

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