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Phillies Could Be Washington’s Successor in the National League East

By John Town

Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) reacts after a called third strike in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) reacts after a called third strike in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Nationals are set to go all-in for the next two seasons to make a final push for a championship, and the Phillies could fill the void once they’re done.

The Phillies, barring some miracle, aren’t going to be playoff contenders in 2017. They may have a chance in 2018 as their first wave of prospects settles in the majors, but that may still be too early.

Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals are reportedly set to go for broke in the coming years. They will likely let Bryce Harper walk when his contract expires after he reportedly asked for a ten-year, $400 million deal. That means they have two more years of Harper before he becomes available to the highest bidder.

Recognizing that the window for a championship is closing, the 2016 NL East champs are reportedly going all in at the winter meetings. ESPN reports that Washington is pursuing both outfielder Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates and pitcher Chris Sale of the White Sox. Both would carry lofty price tags, but Bob Nightengale of USA Today says the Nationals “believe they have the prospects to pull off both trades.”

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If the Nationals do manage to pull off a trade for one of McCutchen or Sale – or both somehow – they would be the heavy favorites to win the division and one of the favorites for the World Series. They may even take home the first World Series title in their history.

Even if the Nationals run the table in the division for the next two seasons, their all-in attitude may doom them later on. Look back on the Phillies after they won the World Series.

Former general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. handed out large contracts and made numerous trades that bankrupted the farm system in order to sustain the team’s success. This later came back to bite them from 2012 on as they had little young talent to replace the aging players on the roster. This same fate may strike the Nationals if they sacrifice their farm system for present success.

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Washington’s two-year window would shut after 2018, and this is where the Phillies would step in. As Washington’s young talent starts reaching free agency and their veterans start to hit the latter stages of their career, the Philadelphia’s next young core would be taking shape.

Present major-leaguers like Maikel Franco, Aaron Nola, and Vincent Velasquez will be joined by numerous prospects from the Phillies farm system like J.P. Crawford, Nick Williams, and Dylan Cozens either in 2017 or 2018. In that time, it’s safe to say that some players in the lower minors will make their way to the majors as well.

With a majority of Phillies top prospects likely to arrive to and establish themselves in the majors by the 2019 season, they would be primed for a run at the division. Coincidentally, Washington would be on the downswing at the same time. If the Phils play their cards right in regards to trades and free agency, they may be able to usurp the Nationals by the end of the decade.

Next: What Must Pete Mackanin Do to Stay After 2017?

The Nationals are already a very good baseball team and they appear willing to sacrifice their long-term pieces to make a push at the World Series before they lose some of their better players like Bryce Harper. When Washington’s window closes, Philadelphia’s will be opening and they may be able to replace the Nationals as the division favorite.

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