With the arrival of baseball season we're previewing each MLB team, from worst to best. We'll look at their key offseason moves, projected lineup, best and worst possible outcomes plus examine the team's fantasy implications. Our daily series starts with No. 30: The Philadelphia Phillies.
The Phillies lost 99 games last season, a dumbfounding number for fans who just a few years ago were celebrating NL East title after NL East title.
Here's some bad news, Phillies fans: Things aren't getting much better this season. Heck, they could get worse.
The 2016 Phillies, who are still paying Ryan Howard $25 million despite that .229 batting average a year ago, are saddled with disappointment in more ways than one. This will be a rebuilding year, there's no doubt about it. They've overhauled their front office and over the past year have traded away many of the players who were contributing to those first-place finishes. These aren't the Phillies of Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Cole Hamels anymore — no, it's a new era in Philly.
The Phillies are hoping to rebuild the smart way, like the Houston Astros did. It won't happen by September, but if fans watch closely enough, they might see glimmers of hope in young players such as Maikel Franco and Aaron Nola.
The Phillies lost 99 games last season, a dumbfounding number for fans who just a few years ago were celebrating NL East title after NL East title.
Here's some bad news, Phillies fans: Things aren't getting much better this season. Heck, they could get worse.
The 2016 Phillies, who are still paying Ryan Howard $25 million despite that .229 batting average a year ago, are saddled with disappointment in more ways than one. This will be a rebuilding year, there's no doubt about it. They've overhauled their front office and over the past year have traded away many of the players who were contributing to those first-place finishes. These aren't the Phillies of Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Cole Hamels anymore — no, it's a new era in Philly.
The Phillies are hoping to rebuild the smart way, like the Houston Astros did. It won't happen by September, but if fans watch closely enough, they might see glimmers of hope in young players such as Maikel Franco and Aaron Nola.
The Phillies are clearly in the process of rebuilding, so there was no need to make huge additions at the major-league level. The loss of Giles will hurt, as he is young, cost-controlled and talented. But having a great closer on a roster that’s going to win 65 games isn’t wise. Velasquez was one of the big names in that deal, and he should get a shot to prove himself in the majors this season. The real key additions were the prospects acquired in both the Giles and Cole Hamels trade from last July. Those players have a shot to be key contributors on the next Phillies contender. Most of the club’s actual big-league adds are nothing more than stopgaps until better talent arrives.
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