Rob Thomson made it clear he appreciated Kody Clemens, based on his recent comments about the former Philadelphia Phillies player who was recently traded to the Twins after struggling to secure a regular role with the franchise — but not for lack of talent.
“It’s too bad we couldn’t have given him more of an opportunity here,” Thomson said before a recent game against the Cubs. “It was just the fit because he’s a good player, he’s a big-league player and I’ve said that all along. He’s a great teammate, he’s a great human being.”
Thomson also shared that he reached out to Clemens after the trade. “I texted him this morning and wished him all the best because I really like him a lot. They like him a lot.” Despite battling for a spot since the 2023 MLB season, Clemens was never able to establish himself as a full-time starter with the Phillies.
Why did Kody Clemens leave the Phillies?
There wasn’t a clear-cut answer from Thomson, but he did hint at a lack of opportunities. The competition among left-handed bench players was tough, and many of the positions Clemens could have filled were already covered by other lefties on the roster.
Kody Clemens #2 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a walk-off single to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park on September 09, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Still, Thomson made use of Clemens when he could between 2023 and his final stretch of seven games in 2025. Over his 90 total games with the Phillies, Clemens produced 32 runs, 57 hits, 9 home runs, and 31 RBIs, posting a .225 batting average.
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What did the Phillies get in return for Clemens?
The Phillies traded Clemens to the Twins for cash considerations, meaning they didn’t receive any players in return. Final details about the amount have not been disclosed yet, but it’s expected the sum won’t be particularly significant.
