The Phillies are not bringing back Kevin Long to the coaching staff, a move that signals another round of change after several straight postseasons in which the offense has disappeared in the playoffs.
Kevin Long had been part of the group guiding the Phillies' hitting approach, and his departure is now one of the clearest signs that the organization is looking for a different answer. The decision also comes with Bobby Dickerson not being retained, adding another layer to the staff reset.
What the move means for the Phillies
The timing matters because this is not just about one coach. The Phillies are making a broader personnel decision after repeated October frustrations, and the focus now shifts to how they want to shape their offense and infield development moving forward.
That is especially relevant for a roster built around players such as Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, Justin Crawford, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper. Any staff change that affects hitter development or infield instruction can ripple through the lineup, even if the front office has not yet laid out the full plan.
For now, the clearest takeaway is simple: the Phillies are changing course. Tomorrow, Dave Dombrowski is expected to be heard from, which should provide more context on why the organization made these moves and what comes next.
