Phillies: Three realistic expectations for the Phillies offseason

Signing a big bat

If you are going to bet on the Phillies doing one thing this offseason it’s that they will add a big bat to their lineup, whether in free agency or a trade.

One national reporter went as far as to say you can “bank on” the Phillies signing Bryce Harper this offseason. That might be going a bit too far, but everyone in baseball is expecting the Phillies to sign either Harper or Manny Machado in the next six weeks.

Even if the Phillies are outbid on those two they have been linked to free agent Michael Brantley. Names they have been connected to in the past who are now free agents include Adam Jones and Mike Moustakas. 

A trade involving Paul Goldschmidt has even been reported by national writers, proving the Phillies will turn over every rock to add a bat.

Adding a bat means dominos will fall on the 25-man roster, thus checking off another expectation on the list.

Regardless of who it is added, you can expect a bat to join the Phillies lineup to make a major impact, whether it be for one year or a decade.

I still think that bat will be one of either Harper or Machado because the Phillies will be able to outbid every offer they want to. The connections with each player are strong, and there’s a reason every writer thinks they’ll land one of them.