Matt Gelb
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Matt Gelb
@mattgelb.bsky.social
Phillies beat writer for The Athletic. One half of Phillies Therapy podcast. Daily Orange U.
Phillies add three to 40-man roster. No surprises. But all three could factor somehow in 2026. Here’s @charlottevarnes.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Phillies protect 3 prospects from Rule 5 draft: What you need to know
Here is an overview of the three prospects, and a look at whom the Phillies chose not to protect.
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:48 PM
New pod: Maybe some action this week? open.spotify.com/episode/2CNG...
Tender is the Night
open.spotify.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Reposted by Matt Gelb
“There’s something to be said for knowing how to win..."

It was another playoff-caliber opponent in another playoff-like atmosphere. And it was another Eagles win.

Is it sustainable? Look at their track record (and defense).

Read more on @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
November 17, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Dave Dombrowski on Harrison Bader: "They know we have interest. They know that we'd like to bring him back. They also had expressed that they want to see what's out there because this was the best year he's had, I think, in quite a while."

More on OF: www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Phillies’ outfield revamp: Justin Crawford, no Nick Castellanos, and a lot of questions
The Phillies are actively shopping Nick Castellanos at this week's GM meetings, multiple major-league sources told The Athletic.
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:26 PM
From Vegas: Dave Dombrowski begins to outline the path toward an outfield reconstruction … www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Phillies’ outfield revamp: Justin Crawford, no Nick Castellanos, and a lot of questions
The Phillies are actively shopping Nick Castellanos at this week's GM meetings, multiple major-league sources told The Athletic.
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Reposted by Matt Gelb
I wrote about a system so thin I started making Dr. Seuss jokes instead of trying to ordinally rank the 5th round sixth year college senior closer against the 4th round up and down bench outfielder in the teens www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/ar...
2026 Prospects: Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospects | Baseball Prospectus
Top-heavy is a common descriptor for farm systems, but it's truer here than in most places.
www.baseballprospectus.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Lind was a valued behind-the-scenes presence with Phillies; hitters offered unprompted praise for his work at the end of the regular season.
November 7, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Phillies have exercised José Alvarado’s $9 million team option for 2026.
November 5, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Get excited:
November 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Reposted by Matt Gelb
A new story I'm pretty pumped to share. It's about words, and our pastime, and changing your traumas by changing your patterns.

On Matt Berninger, and the baseballs of writing:
Matt Berninger traded his notebook for a baseball. And the words kept coming
For The National’s frontman, the way forward was written on rawhide.
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM
New pod: Yeah, we talked about it. Then, we took a first stab at trying to solve the clearest issue the Phillies face this offseason. Thank you for listening. open.spotify.com/episode/7kgg...
With Great Rumors Come Great Responsibility
open.spotify.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Fun story from Mitch Bannon, who talked to Buddy Kennedy, guaranteed World Series champion: www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
One of baseball’s timeless quirks will guarantee a World Series ring for Buddy Kennedy
After playing briefly for both World Series teams, Kennedy will watch each game closely: "I added some little — very, very little — help.”
www.nytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:29 PM
The World Series is starting without the Phillies. So, come here with your Phillies questions: www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Submit questions for Matt Gelb’s Phillies mailbag
What questions do you have about the Phillies as they prepare for a critical offseason? Submit them here.
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Great to have Tony Jones covering the Sixers for The Athletic. Two outstanding stories to begin the season ...

On Tyrese Maxey: www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...

And, from Boston, a V.J. Edgecombe debut to remember: www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
V.J. Edgecombe makes history to give 76ers hope: ‘He was amazing’
When the lottery balls fell Philadelphia's way and they were able to draft Edgecombe, a night like Wednesday night was the vision.
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Reposted by Matt Gelb
Breaking news story on the Giants being in agreement with Tony Vitello, making him the first head coach with no pro baseball experience to leap directly to a major league managerial position: www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
San Francisco Giants to hire Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello as next manager: Sources
Vitello will be the 40th manager in franchise history and he has by far the most unique resume.
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Fifty years ago today, the greatest piece of baseball writing on deadline: www.bostonglobe.com/sports/1975/...
Carlton Fisk’s home run in 12th beats Reds, 7-6 - The Boston Globe
At 12:34 a.m., in the 12th inning, Fisk’s histrionic home run brought a 7-6 end to a game that will be the pride of historians in the year 2525.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Reposted by Matt Gelb
You don’t go to a funeral expecting all of the answers — even if you think you have them. But Dave Dombrowski dropped plenty of hints about how this winter could unfold. Thoughts? A lot of them here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
At Phillies’ wake, hints of the path they could take in a critical offseason
Ideally, they hope to retain Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, remake their outfield and augment their bullpen — all while injecting youth.
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:08 PM
The post-mortem has ended. Dombrowski identified OF as an area for change, and highlighted Justin Crawford as someone in their plans. He wouldn’t reveal much. He did said he’d be “surprised” if José Alvarado ($9.5 mm club option) isn’t back.

Phillies will hire a new bench coach.
October 16, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Reposted by Matt Gelb
The other thing is that while the Phillies have profited from trading prospects over the past 4 years, they have gotten a rounding error from nothing from their own minor league depth. No team has handed out fewer MLB debuts since 2023, and only one Phillies callup has been a meaningful contributor
October 15, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Everything about this story, how the original Love Park was recreated in Sweden, rules: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/m...
The Ultimate Pilgrimage for the Middle-Aged Skateboarder
www.nytimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Matt Gelb
Offseason Preview (& Sal Frelick Play Reactioncast)
open.spotify.com/episode/5sDj...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:55 AM