The Philadelphia Phillies have come up short of the ultimate goal in each season of the Bryce Harper era. In fact, Philadelphia hasn’t brought home a World Series title since 2008, when Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard led the team to the championship.
This was the first time the Phillies won the division in over a decade, but they still came up short in the postseason. It’s obvious they need to make a change and MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today predicts them to do just that.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 06: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with teammates after the game-winning hit to defeat the New York Mets in Game Two of the Division Series at Citizens Bank… PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 06: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with teammates after the game-winning hit to defeat the New York Mets in Game Two of the Division Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 06, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More Hunter Martin/Getty Images
“Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, has not internally discussed pursuing Soto with his staff but is painfully aware they need to shake up their lineup,” Nightengale wrote. “Simply, scouts say, they’re just too easy to pitch to come crunchtime with their big swingers and contact-challenged hitters. If someone needs a slugger like Nick Castellanos, or outfield help in Brandon Marsh, or third baseman Alec Bohm, the Phillies are listening.”
The trio of Marsh, Castellanos and Bohm combined to play 440 games last season, with Castellanos playing in all 162 contests.
Castellanos, 32, slashed .254/.311/.431 with 23 home runs and 30 doubles this season.
Marsh, 26, slashed .249/.328/.419 last season while registering 3.1 WAR. He’s arbitration eligible until 2028.
Bohm, 28, was named to his first career All-Star game this season. He hit .280 with 15 home runs and a 3.0 WAR.
These three will likely receive some attention on the trade block and it could definitely make sense for Philadelphia to move them.
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