The Philadelphia Phillies were one of the best regular season teams in 2024, but their entire year fell apart in October.
After landing eight players on the National League All-Star team, Philadelphia failed to win a postseason series.
Heading into the offseason, there are some drastic changes the Phillies need — and will look — to make. They’ve been connected to both of the White Sox’s available stars, Luis Robert Jr. and Garrett Crochet.
But MLB insider Jim Bowden has made a bold prediction about what the Phillies will do this winter and the fan base will likely be split on it.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 6: Tanner Scott #66 of the San Diego Padres pitches in the eighth inning of game two of the National League Divisional Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 6, 2024, in Los Angeles, California.
Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
“Lefty Tanner Scott signs a four-year, $60 million deal with the Phillies, who say goodbye to high-leverage relievers Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez in free agency,” Bowden wrote for The Athletic.
Bold prediction from Bowden, to say the least.
Scott, 30, posted a 1.18 ERA in 45.2 innings with the Marlins before being dealt to the Padres at the trade deadline. With San Diego, Scott posted a 2.73 ERA in 26 1/3 innings to end the year. He was rumored to be connected to the Phillies before San Diego mortgaged the farm system to acquire him.
Estevez, 31, was acquired by the Phillies for two top pitching prospects at the trade deadline. He posted a 2.45 ERA in 55 innings split between the Angels and the Phillies.
Hoffman, 31, was named to his first All-Star Game in 2024. He posted a 2.17 ERA in 66 1/3 regular season innings before surrendering six earned runs in 1 1/3 postseason innings.
The Phillies will address their bullpen this winter. Whether they do it by re-signing their expiring contracts or buying outside free agents is currently unknown.
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