3 Phillies roster spots the team needs to upgrade, 1 that’s fine as is

The Phillies roster is fine with the starting lineup they have

Do the Phillies need Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, or Shohei Ohtani? It’d be nice. It would also change the complexion of the roster and farm system. At the right price, yes. The Phillies should land any of those stars. The urgency to trade Arenado and Goldschmidt just isn’t there for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Los Angeles Angels would probably want Bryson Stott in any deal for Ohtani. This just creates a brand new hole for the Phillies and would wipe out the farm system.

The Phillies starting lineup is almost as perfect as it can get. They have problems. The defense isn’t the sharpest. Trea Turner has failed to live up to expectations. J.T. Realmuto is having a rare off-year at the plate.

Compared to other teams in the wild card race, the Phillies have one of the most feared starting nine you can put together. The magnificent season they’ve gotten from Nick Castellanos has more than made up for the absence of Rhys Hoskins. This is a team that mashes and not just with the home run ball.

Yes, the Phillies should look at every possibility to improve their starting lineup. It’s hardly the priority. Get the arms first. Expect the bats to awaken if they haven’t already.