Phillies' Max Kepler signing feels like more of the same

Kepler mostly keeps strikeouts to a minimum, with a career strikeout rate of 18.6%. (The league average is 22.2%.) He has an above-average walk rate of 9.7%, with the league average being 8.4%. Additionally, he's a premium defender in the outfield.

However, his signing feels like more of the same for the Phillies: another gamble on a streaky power hitter, hoping he will return to form. This doesn't move the needle for Philadelphia.

It's debatable whether Kepler will immediately impact the team. He's coming off a down year, in which patellar tendinitis prematurely ended his season on Sept. 5.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Kepler will play left field for the Phillies. This is surprising, given that the outfielder has featured in zero games in LF during his career. Moreover, Kepler isn't typically a 150-game player, but $10 million for a bench bat seems like an overpay.

The Phillies have had their fair share of outfield platoons recently, and none have worked well. So, although they added a new player to their roster, it feels a lot like running it back, especially if this is the only move they plan to make for a bat this winter.

When your division rival signs Juan Soto as its right fielder, you can't only counter with Max Kepler. Philadelphia must keep its eye out for more impact bats this winter.