The Philadelphia Phillies had high expectations heading into 2024 after two straight playoff appearances, including a trip to the World Series in 2022. The roster was one of the most talented rosters in Major League Baseball, and it seemed like 2024 could finally be their year.
The Phillies got off to a hot start to the season. Bryce Harper was playing at an MVP level, the starting rotation had three legitimate Cy Young candidates with Aaron Nola not too far out of the picture and the team was consistently at the top of the league-wide standings.
The baseball world is still trying to figure out what happened to the Phillies after the All-Star break. They were a .500 team in the second half of the season and the struggles carried into the playoffs that ultimately led to a first-round exit in the NLDS.
Despite having a star-studded roster, these hard truths about this talented Phillies team that blew their shot at the World Series in 2024 might have fans pulling their hair out again in 2025.
Get used to this Phillies offense
The Phillies invested a lot of “stupid money” into the offense over the years. Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, Trea Turner and J.T. Realmuto will all be back in 2025. Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott will likely remain in the lineup despite their struggles in 2024. The outfield situation is up in the air heading into 2025, but it will likely feature the same players.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has already stated that the organization isn’t necessarily looking to add any stars in free agency. Don’t get your hopes up for superstar outfielder Juan Soto who’s projected to receive a $700 million contract.
The Phillies could add a veteran outfielder to create some competition for Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas and Austin Hays. There’s also a chance top outfield prospect Justin Crawford could fight for a spot on the 26-man roster. The 20-year-old was drafted in 2022, but he’s flying through the minor league system with success.
The Phillies’ offense went cold when it mattered most, but don’t expect the lineup to drastically change in 2025. The stars on the team need to put 2024 behind them and live up to their expectations. Phillies fans are praying that the offense will put together better at-bats and cut down on chasing pitches out of the zone, something that plagued them in 2024.