As we emerge from the stupor of that strange week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve where time has no meaning and we set out into the new year, plenty of people will be making New Year’s resolutions. With 2026 now officially upon us, what do Philadelphia Phillies fans want to see from their team this year?
We all get a fresh start as the calendar flips to January 1, and so do the Phillies with just a month and a half before players start showing up to spring training. While some of us will be making resolutions to go to the gym more, eat healthier, or ditch a bad habit, the Phillies have some changes they can make this year.
The Phillies were busy ahead of the holidays, making a flurry of moves to solidify the roster. But they still have work to do and while we always have hope they’ll make more big moves, we also have hope that they can stick to these New Year’s resolutions.
3 New Year's resolutions for the Phillies in 2026
1. To keep balance in the clubhouse
Let’s be honest, the magic of the 2022 run to the World Series is far behind the current Phillies roster. Now that that shine has worn off, cracks began to expose themselves within the Phillies clubhouse this season, despite the team playing to the second best record in the majors for a second consecutive year.
In 2026, the Phillies need to put all of that behind them and make sure the clubhouse ecosystem is in balance. They don’t need to hold hands and sing Kum Ba Ya, but moving on from a disgruntled Nick Castellanos will certainly help the cause. The trading of Matt Strahm, who we heard might’ve had some issues in the clubhouse (subscription required), might help. The re-signing of Kyle Schwarber will also be an immense boon.
And then there’s the post-season beef between president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and star Bryce Harper. Whether or not Harper can still play at an elite level remains to be seen, but hopefully those two will have buried the hatchet and Harper can take out any frustrations on opposing pitching.
2. To accept the transition to the new era
This one is maybe just as much for Phillies fans as it is for the front office and coaching staff. We’ve all been chomping at the bit to see the next generation of Phillies prospects finally make an impact in the big leagues. The 2026 season might just be when we see that.
With Justin Crawford, the Phillies’ No. 3 MLB Pipeline prospect, pencilled in as the opening day center fielder the transition towards a younger nucleus will begin soon. Right-hander Andrew painter, the team’s No. 1 prospect, has a chance to earn an Opening Day rotation spot if he can bounce back from a horrible 2025 campaign. And No. 2 prospect shortstop Aidan Miller could easily force the Phillies hand this season for a call-up to the big club.
The Phillies have to let things play out with these young players, even in the position that they’re in as a World Series contender. There will be growing pains, no doubt, but everybody has to remain patient. If these young players are as good as the Phillies have been banking on, they have to figure it out at the MLB level. Let’s just hope they can do it while the veteran core can keep this team on the winning track.
3. To put the last two postseason slumps behind them
There’s no getting around the fact that the last two postseason’s have not gone well for the Phillies. In 2026, they will need to put those last two NLDS failures behind them and get over that first series hump again. Remember this team is just a few years removed from the World Series run, which was followed by a run to Game 7 of the 2023 NLCS.
Mostly, we’re pointing fingers at the offense. The bats, for the most part in the 2024 and 2025 NLDS, disappeared off the face of the Earth at the worst time. Pitching will never be perfect, but the Phillies hurlers have more or less done their job.
It’s time for the big boy bats too show what they can do again when the lights are shining brightest in October. Yes, there can definitely be some ghosts lurking after the last three postseason flops, but maybe the Phillies can finally avoid an early playoff slump this year.