The Philadelphia Phillies are back at square one after a crushing NLDS defeat to the New York Mets. Despite undeniable talent on the roster, GM Dave Dombrowski and manager Rob Thomson have yet to find the winning formula to propel the team past their World Series roadblocks. With the championship window closing, the pressure to get things right is mounting.
Nearly everyone deserves blame for the Mets series loss, but the bullpen was especially disastrous. Still, the struggles of Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm, and Orion Kerkering feel more like a temporary blip than a lasting concern, given their dominance during the regular season. On the other hand, Philadelphia’s offense went ice-cold in the postseason, with the Mets’ pitching neutralizing the Phillies’ star-studded lineup. The outfield also remained a sore spot throughout the year, and changes could be in the works ahead of 2025.
One potential adjustment involves All-Star shortstop Trea Turner, whose defensive decline has become a glaring issue. Though still dangerous at the plate, Turner’s glove and arm have faltered, finishing the 2024 season near the bottom in defensive metrics. Once a Gold Glove contender, he has become a liability. While the Phillies have typically downplayed defense in favor of offense, a position change for Turner may be on the horizon. However, the elephant in the room remains his hefty $300 million contract.
With major decisions looming, could the Phillies be gearing up for a dramatic overhaul in their pursuit of a championship?
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