The Philadelphia Phillies clinched the NL East title and secured the No. 2 seed in the National League this season, but their postseason hopes were dashed after a rocky stretch post-All-Star break, culminating in a swift four-game NLDS loss to the resilient New York Mets.
While the Phillies have been a consistent October presence, they’ve struggled to put it all together when it matters most. With Dave Dombrowski’s proven track record as GM and John Middleton’s willingness to invest heavily in the team, the Phillies’ combination of resources and star talent still hasn’t led to a championship with their current roster.
As a result, this offseason is shaping up to be pivotal for the Phillies. Much of their bullpen is headed for free agency, and despite boasting a potent lineup on paper, the offense clearly needs bolstering.
One of the most pressing areas of concern is the outfield. Johan Rojas struggles at the plate, Brandon Marsh has trouble against lefties, and Austin Hays underperforms against right-handed pitching. Though Nick Castellanos was a key performer in right field last season, the overall outfield depth remains a weakness.
Enter Juan Soto, the top free agent of the offseason, whose skills could address the Phillies’ outfield dilemma. Soto is projected to land a contract close to Shohei Ohtani’s eye-popping $700 million deal, a hefty sum for a team already facing a high payroll. Nevertheless, the Phillies are primed to make a serious push for the four-time All-Star.
