The Philadelphia Phillies made one of the most important decisions of their offseason, re-signing Kyle Schwarber to a long-term deal. It was a massive one, lasting the next five seasons at a total value of $150 million.
But that move to re-sign Schwarber wasn't the only contract revealed on the second day of the MLB Winter Meetings. Rob Thomson, who was a hot-seat candidate after back-to-back NLDS exits, is getting a contract update.
The Phillies announced, shortly after the news of Schwarber's $150 million extension was revealed, that they've extended Thomson for one more season.
Phillies announce Rob Thomson extension
"Breaking: The Phillies have extended the contract of manager Rob Thomson through the 2027 season," the Philadelphia Phillies Twitter/x account announced.
Thomson has been the winningest manager in the Phillies franchise history. The 62-year-old baseball lifer is now under contract through the 2027 season, giving him two more years on his current deal.
So far with the Phillies, he's 346 and 251, a.580 winning percentage. While the total wins aren't the most by a manager in Phillies history - that honor goes to Charlie Manuel with 780 wins and a.551 winning percentage - among managers with more than one season under their belt, none have a higher winning percentage than Thomson.
He's deserving of an extension based on that alone, and if only the Phillies could finish with a World Series title, then a much longer-term extension would be in order.
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If the 2026 season ends with a World Series title, then a much longer-term extension would be in order. But if things go poorly, then the Phillies would be able to move on from just one year on his deal.
Letting Thomson enter the 2026 season without any assurances for 2027 isn't a situation the Phillies, or most clubs, want to put their manager in.
It's been a busy Tuesday for the Phillies, as they've extended Thomson through the 2027 season and re-signed Schwarber on a $150 million deal through 2030.
There's bound to be a lot more moves coming this winter for the Phillies, as Dave Dombrowski and John Middleton know they need to make the most of this team right now.
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