5 Phillies questions: The plan at closer, Rojas most improved?

With the Eagles season in the books, Phillies Spring Training is just a few weeks away, so here are the five pressing questions about the team that need to be answered in Clearwater.

From an addition Dave Dombrowski may still make before Opening Day to the position that will look the most unlike it did in 2023, here’s are look at the 5 biggest Phillies questions.

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What big move could the Phillies still make before the season?

I'm not sure there is a big move still in them, but if they can get one of the top starting pitchers or bullpen arms on the market, for under market value - they might make a move.

NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell and 2023 World Series champion Jordan Montgomery are the top two arms on the market still. In the bullpen, the team could look to Josh Hadar or Aroldis Chapman (unlikely) or guys like Hector Neris or Robert Stephenson could help the back end of the bullpen.

Do the Phillies have a closer yet?

I don't seen an obvious one of the current roster.

The group of José Alvarado, Seranthony Domínguez, Jeff Hoffman, Gregory Soto and Orion Kerkering will all battle for the ball in the ninth inning of games.

My pick here is Kerkering, who I know struggled in the bigger moments of the playoffs. However, given a full Spring Training and regular season, I think Kerkering has the best stuff and makeup to close games out in 2024.

Who is most likely to improve from last year?

While I like Kerkering to not only improve, but step into a much bigger role in 2024. However, I won't include him here, since he made three appearances in 2023.

The I think will improve the most from last year in 2024 is Johan Rojas.

Rojas played an excellent centerfield, and surprised man with his production at the plate, slashing 302/342/.422 in 33 games,. However, he struggled in the playoffs, and the team said he wasn't guaranteed a spot on the opening day roster.

Rojas seems to be putting in the work and I can see him surprising people again at the plate.

Which position will look the most different?

I'm guessing there won't be a lot of difference in the everyday lineup, the starting rotation or the bullpen.

So I'm going to go ahead and say the bench.

Christian Pache is still around and Jake Cave took the teams final at-bat in 2023, and that's simply not good enough. One of those guys, likely Pache stays and the other needs to be upgraded.

The team could still look to add a right-handed bat to play leftfield with Brandon Marsh, but I don't think that will happen before the season begins.

I'm hopeful that Spring Training will have some competition for the bench roles in 2024. I imagine the only guys who will be back in the same role would be catcher Garrett Stubbs and utilityman Edmundo Sosa.

Keep an eye on a guy like Tommy Pham, a right-handed bat that can play all three outfield positions.

Which player will not be on the roster Aug. 1?

If Taijuan Walker has another solid regular season, he could be an attractive piece to a contending team looking to add pitching. He likely wouldn't be a part of the Phillies postseason plans again, with Ranger Suárez and Cristopher Sanchez ahead of him on the depth chart and Mick Abel waiting at Triple-A.

So if there is a contending team that needs an arm, they could call the Phillies to see if Walker is available.