The Philadelphia Phillies were the top team in MLB at the All-Star break, but their hold on the National League weakened in the following months. Despite boasting eight All-Stars, including five pitchers, the team struggled to optimize their talent.
As the season progressed, many of the Phillies’ key hitters went cold. In the postseason, top relievers Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm, and Orion Kerkering faltered unexpectedly, leading to a disappointing end to Philadelphia’s remarkable season.
An NLDS loss to the Mets was not what fans expected this season. The series wasn’t particularly close, prompting a reckoning among supporters. Both Dave Dombrowski and Rob Thomson will return next season, as they should, but the pressure is mounting on this Phillies core. Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Kyle Schwarber are not getting any younger, and neither is Zack Wheeler, whose best postseason start was wasted by the team’s suddenly ineffective bullpen.
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Phillies took significant action this winter. While the possibility of acquiring Juan Soto seems unlikely, Dombrowski is known for making big moves when the stakes are high. One proposed target from Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly could generate significant buzz.
