5 Phillies Leaving Philadelphia in the New Year
By Jovan Alford
4. Max Kepler
After the Austin Hays experiment failed last season, the Phillies will hope Max Kepler can bring some offense and defense to the outfield in 2025.
Philadelphia surprisingly signed Kepler to a one-year, $10 million contract last month, which did not excite the fanbase. The Phils expect Kepler to be their everyday left fielder, despite him not playing left field in his 10-year tenure with the Minnesota Twins.
The 31-year-old outfielder battled through multiple injuries in 2024 (left patellar tendinitis, hip) and reportedly underwent core surgery. Kepler hit .253 with eight home runs and 42 RBI.
Even though he only played in 105 games, the veteran outfielder hit .273 against left-handed pitching. However, for his career, Kepler is better against right-handed pitching, slugging .243 at the plate.
Nonetheless, the Phillies will hope Kepler can bring some stability in left field as they are leaving Nick Castellanos in right field and likely rolling with a Brandon Marsh/Johan Rojas platoon in center field.
If Kepler can produce at the plate and play quality defense in left field in 2025, the Phillies might consider moving Marsh or Rojas. However, the Phillies’ brass can’t make that call until they see how Kepler performs and if he can stay healthy.