Let’s take a look at the Philadelphia Phillies’ 2024 season, the questions the team will have to address this winter, and the early outlook for 2025.

Read more: 2024 MLB Offseason Preview: What’s Next for the Brewers, Astros, Orioles and More??

Postseason result

The Phillies lost to the Mets in four games in the NLDS. Their bullpen proved to be their undoing, as a late collapse allowed the Mets to come back in Game 1 after a Zack Wheeler gem and a Game 4 grand slam against Francisco Lindor capitulated, sealing their elimination in October.

They won a thrilling back-and-forth game in Game 2, but were thwarted in Game 3 by Mets starter Sean Manaea. The Phillies, a team with a World Series-or-bust mentality, have failed to win a postseason series every year.

Things that went well

Not only did the Phillies win their first NL East title since 2011, but they also edged ahead of the competition, building an 8.5-game lead by the All-Star break. The club struggled all season long against the likes of the Dodgers and Yankees for the best record in baseball, ultimately finishing at No. 2 in the NL.

Once again, Bryce Harper was the pace of the offense. This was his sixth season in Philadelphia and in all six of those years he posted an OPS over .875. His yearly patience makes him one of baseball’s all-time leaders, and this year he ranked 10th in OBP. The other offensive catalyst was leader Kyle Schwarber, who surpassed the century mark in runs and RBI for the second straight year. Schwarber is a prototypical leader of the modern era – a basic machine with first-class performance capabilities. That year he set a major league record with 15 home runs.

Rotation was also a strength for this team, which ranked eighth in baseball with a 3.81 ERA. Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Cristopher Sánchez each posted an ERA under 3.60 over more than 180 innings, a feat unmatched by any other team with three starters. Ranger Suárez (3.46 ERA, 150.2 IP) also had an excellent season.

Things that went wrong

There have been few major disappointments in Philadelphia this year, but Whit Merrifield was someone who didn’t live up to expectations. When he signed a one-year deal in February, the 35-year-old was expected to be a super-utility player. Instead, Merrifield hit .199 with an OPS of .572 before being released on July 12. His problems left the team with an uninspiring bench unit.

Nick Castellanos was the only key player on the team to have a disappointing year. The 32-year-old hit .272 with 29 homers and 106 RBI last season before batting just .254 with 23 long balls and 86 RBI this year. Most of his problems came in the first half (.680 OPS), and he looked more like himself after the All-Star break (.839 OPS). Castellanos continued to be one of the worst defensive right fielders in baseball.

To his credit, Castellanos had a memorable performance in Game 2 of the NLDS, hitting a home run in the sixth inning and scoring the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. He finished the series 7-for-17 with an OPS of 1.059.

Off season plans

The bad news is that many of the Phillies’ key hitters are on the wrong side of 30. The good news is that they are excellent players who will be under the team’s control until 2025. JT Realmuto is entering the final year of his $115 million contract and taking over the duties behind the plate. Harper (first base), Bryson Stott (second base), Alec Bohm (third base) and Trea Turner (shortstop) are all under multi-year contracts and tied to starting roles at their respective positions. Schwarber is outstanding as a DH and still has one year left on his contract.

The outfield is also mostly populated. Castellanos will play right field and Brandon Marsh will be the left fielder against right-handed pitchers. Austin Hays, acquired from Baltimore in July, is a right-handed hitter to join Marsh and can play both right and center field. Johan Rojas has to fight for his job. The speedster is a strong defender who can make a splash on the base paths, but his plate skills are subpar. The front office must decide whether it can live with Rojas at the back of an otherwise strong lineup.

The rotation is in great shape with Wheeler, Nola, Sánchez and Suárez all remaining under contract. Taijuan Walker has been a disappointment in two years with the Phillies, but he has two years left on a lucrative contract that pays $18 million per season and will therefore get a chance to win the final rotation spot. Tyler Phillips, who has been inconsistent as a rookie this year, is another contender for the role.

It’s a good thing that the rotation and batting order are mostly set, because the Phillies’ bullpen needs an overhaul with Carlos Estévez, Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm all leaving in free agency. Talent returns with José Alvarado, José Ruiz and Orion Kerkering, but the team could use an experienced closer to lead the group. Alternatively, Philly could add a few relievers for depth and use Alvarado and Kerkering in the ninth inning.

Perspectives on the horizon

As you would expect from an organization that has been in this situation for several years, Philadelphia’s prospect pool is not one of the best in baseball. The Phillies have some notable prospects who are at least a few years away from reaching the majors, but the MLB-ready group largely consists of two pitchers.

Andrew Painter, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2021, is nearing the end of his rehab process from Tommy John surgery in 2023. The lanky right-hander posted eye-popping numbers in 2022, including a 1 ERA, 56, a WHIP of 0.89 and a 13.5 K/9 rate. He will need to return to form in the minors but should make his debut with Philadelphia in the first half of 2025. Without the surgery, the 21-year-old would probably already be on the Phillies roster.

Mick Abel has had an inconsistent path through the minors since his first-round selection in 2020. The 23-year-old has shown considerable swing-and-miss ability while struggling mightily to limit walks, particularly at the Triple-A level this year. Abel will likely make his debut with the Phillies soon, but still has a lot to prove before he can become a regular in Philadelphia’s rotation.

Goals for 2025

At this point, there are no moral victories for an organization that has a winning record in four straight seasons and has advanced to the postseason three times in a row. With an aging roster and several experienced hurlers, Philadelphia’s chances of breaking through and winning the franchise’s first World Series since 2008 are as good as ever.

President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowksi and general manager Sam Fuld could sit idle this winter and still field one of baseball’s best rosters next season, but they can get this team over the top by giving the bullpen high end -Add talents. This will be particularly necessary given the expected resurgence of the Braves, who had won six straight division titles this year before a serious series of injuries and slumps.

Fantasy focus

There will be no shortage of Phillies in the early rounds of fantasy drafts. Harper and Turner are expected to be the first team members off the field in Round 2. They are followed by Wheeler and Nola, with Wheeler drafted as the fantasy ace and Nola as the No. 2 starter. Schwarber will also be a first-round pick, and Castellanos, Realmuto, Stott, Sánchez and Suárez will all be viable middle-round options. If the team agrees on a closer roster before spring training, he will also be a popular fantasy pick.