This is the worst offseason plan for the Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies need to massively upgrade their bullpen this offseason

Instead of dealing away their star pitcher, completely overhauling the bullpen should be a top priority for the Phillies this offseason. Until recently, the bullpen had led MLB in blown saves for months. Their 34 blown saves tied the MLB record set by the 2004 Colorado Rockies. Thankfully, the Washington Nationals blew their 35th, beating the Phillies to an embarrassing punch.

The Phillies went 19-13 in Wheeler’s starts. With a semi-effective bullpen, both Wheeler and the team are vastly improved. It hurts to think what could have been this year if Hector Neris hadn’t struggled so much in June and July, Ian Kennedy had pitched for Philly the way he pitched in Texas, the list goes on and on.

Additionally, the Phillies will say goodbye to a host of underperforming players whose contracts mercifully expire at the end of this season. Free of the constraints of those contracts and with clear knowledge of what they need, Dombrowski will begin to build a Phillies team with a Fightins chance.

Should the Phillies trade Bryce Harper or Zack Wheeler this offseason?

Harper and Wheeler are not the types of players you trade; they’re the kind you build around.

If the Phillies don’t do so, they’ll have only themselves to blame for future failure.