As we shut the e-book on 2024, it’s a swell time for us, as Phillies followers, to do what most folk do that time of yr.
Replicate again, and look forward.
Final yr had its share of ups and downs for the Phils. They entered the season recent off an October disappointment that resulted in them shockingly not reaching the World Sequence. They raced out to a red-hot begin and despatched eight gamers to the All Star Sport. They struggled within the second half, finally main to a different surprising playoff exit to their hated rivals, the Mets.
As we sit up for 2025, it’s additionally a time to make resolutions. I doubt the Phillies, as a company, sit down and do something like this, however as a fan, there are 5 resolutions I want to see the workforce make as they attempt to get again to the Fall Basic and defend their NL East crown.
Be constant
Final season, the Phillies raced out to a 62-34 report within the first half and led the division by 8½ video games. Nevertheless, they went simply 33-33 within the second half. And whereas that was ok to comfortably clinch the division, it’s clear the Phils didn’t actually know tips on how to play effectively with such an enormous lead.
The offense had stretches the place it seemed like probably the most dominant pressure on the planet, after which equally lengthy stretches the place it appeared it might take a miracle for them to place three runs on the board in a given evening. The again finish of the beginning rotation, significantly the No. 5 starter, couldn’t get anybody out, and the bullpen had its share of unevenness as effectively.
Each workforce goes to undergo slumps, however for the Phils, they slumped within the excessive. The on a regular basis stars on the workforce must play extra persistently. That’s simpler mentioned than performed, however it’s actually a objective they need to all share.
Be extra disciplined
This has extra to do with the batting order. When they’re urgent, they begin to broaden the strike zone and swing at too many pitches out of the strike zone. They don’t stroll sufficient. Briefly, they seem like chickens with their heads minimize off on the plate for lengthy stretches.
Dave Dombrowski sought to change the lineup a bit by bringing in some gamers with higher plate self-discipline, however to date this offseason, the one factor he’s been in a position to do is signal outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million deal. Kepler was damage for a lot of final yr and, when he wasn’t injured, wasn’t a really efficient lefthanded hitter.
I’m certain he wished to do extra, and there should still be time. Nevertheless it’s clear any modifications to the efficiency of the lineup should come from the gamers already right here.
Discover a dependable fifth starter
It appears just like the Phillies did this with the commerce for Miami starter Jesus Luzardo, who was the Marlins’ No. 2 starter as lately as 2023. He was damage with a again damage and missed half of final season, however all indications are he’s going to be effective and again to regular in 2025.
Luzardo is best than a No. 5 starter, when wholesome. He’s a No. 2/No. 3 starter that now offers the Phils the most effective beginning rotation in baseball. Which leads me to the fourth decision …
Run prevention over run manufacturing
It’s fairly clear Dombrowski and the entrance workplace didn’t really feel they may enhance the workforce all that a lot by buying and selling for an affect outfielder, and it’s additionally clear the workforce was not excited about spending prime greenback on free brokers like Teoscar Hernandez, Anthony Santander or, sure, Juan Soto. These luxurious tax penalties aren’t any joke.
So, Dombrowski determined to place collectively a mini-Tremendous Rotation, and is hoping that, very similar to in 2011 when the Phillies gained a club-record 102 video games, a beginning cadre of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Luzardo, Christopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez will make the Phils a dominant pressure within the Nationwide League in 2025.
Exhausting to argue with that philosophy.
Win the World Sequence
It’s the one acceptable consequence for 2025. It’s arduous to imagine that Harper has been right here six years they usually nonetheless don’t have a title. They need to have nabbed at the very least one over these final three seasons, and with the primes of a lot of their star gamers nearing an finish, and with J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber within the last years of their contracts, now’s the time to get this factor performed.
If the Phils are going to do it, it’s going to need to be on the backs of the celebs they have already got in place. They’re going to need to be extra constant and play their finest baseball on the proper time of the season.
Positive, you’ll be able to’t do something about accidents and generally the baseball gods simply resolve it isn’t your yr. However Harper, Wheeler, Nola and the remainder of the crew actually do should hoist a trophy on the finish of the season.
This yr is the yr.
I assume that’s extra a want than a decision, huh?