As we close the book on 2024, it’s a swell time for us, as Phillies fans, to do what most folks do this time of year.
Reflect back, and look ahead.
Last year had its share of ups and downs for the Phils. They entered the season fresh off an October disappointment that resulted in them shockingly not reaching the World Series. They raced out to a red-hot start and sent eight players to the All Star Game. They struggled in the second half, ultimately leading to another shocking playoff exit to their hated rivals, the Mets.
As we look ahead to 2025, it’s also a time to make resolutions. I doubt the Phillies, as an organization, sit down and do anything like this, but as a fan, there are five resolutions I would like to see the team make as they try to get back to the Fall Classic and defend their NL East crown.
Be consistent
Last season, the Phillies raced out to a 62-34 record in the first half and led the division by 8½ games. However, they went just 33-33 in the second half. And while that was good enough to comfortably clinch the division, it’s clear the Phils didn’t really know how to play well with such a big lead.
The offense had stretches where it looked like the most dominant force on the planet, and then equally long stretches where it appeared it would take a miracle for them to put three runs on the board in a given night. The back end of the starting rotation, particularly the No. 5 starter, couldn’t get anyone out, and the bullpen had its share of unevenness as well.
Every team is going to go through slumps, but for the Phils, they slumped in the extreme. The everyday stars on the team need to play more consistently. That’s easier said than done, but it’s certainly a goal they should all share.
Be more disciplined
This has more to do with the batting order. When they are pressing, they start to expand the strike zone and swing at too many pitches out of the strike zone. They don’t walk enough. In short, they look like chickens with their heads cut off at the plate for long stretches.
Dave Dombrowski sought to alter the lineup a bit by bringing in some players with better plate discipline, but so far this offseason, the only thing he’s been able to do is sign outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million deal. Kepler was hurt for much of last year and, when he wasn’t injured, wasn’t a terribly effective lefthanded hitter.
I’m sure he wanted to do more, and there may still be time. But it’s clear any changes to the performance of the lineup must come from the players already here.
Find a reliable fifth starter
It looks like the Phillies did this with the trade for Miami starter Jesus Luzardo, who was the Marlins’ No. 2 starter as recently as 2023. He was hurt with a back injury and missed half of last season, but all indications are he’s going to be fine and back to normal in 2025.
Luzardo is better than a No. 5 starter, when healthy. He’s a No. 2/No. 3 starter that now gives the Phils the best starting rotation in baseball. Which leads me to the fourth resolution …
Run prevention over run production
It’s pretty clear Dombrowski and the front office didn’t feel they could improve the team all that much by trading for an impact outfielder, and it’s also clear the team was not interested in spending top dollar on free agents like Teoscar Hernandez, Anthony Santander or, yes, Juan Soto. Those luxury tax penalties are no joke.
So, Dombrowski decided to put together a mini-Super Rotation, and is hoping that, much like in 2011 when the Phillies won a club-record 102 games, a starting cadre of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Luzardo, Christopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez will make the Phils a dominant force in the National League in 2025.
Hard to argue with that philosophy.
Win the World Series
It’s the only acceptable outcome for 2025. It’s hard to believe that Harper has been here six years and they still don’t have a title. They should have nabbed at least one over these last three seasons, and with the primes of many of their star players nearing an end, and with J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber in the final years of their contracts, now is the time to get this thing done.
If the Phils are going to do it, it’s going to have to be on the backs of the stars they already have in place. They’re going to have to be more consistent and play their best baseball at the right time of the season.
Sure, you can’t do anything about injuries and sometimes the baseball gods just decide it isn’t your year. But Harper, Wheeler, Nola and the rest of the crew truly do deserve to hoist a trophy at the end of the season.
This year is the year.
I guess that’s more a wish than a resolution, huh?
