{"id":87481,"date":"2024-10-10T20:21:05","date_gmt":"2024-10-11T00:21:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=87481"},"modified":"2024-10-10T20:21:57","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T00:21:57","slug":"phillies-need-shakeup-after-another-october-letdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/10\/10\/phillies-need-shakeup-after-another-october-letdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Phillies Need Shakeup After Another October Letdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Philadelphia Phillies need a shakeup after losing to the New York Mets in the National League Division Series. After an NLCS defeat against the Arizona Diamondbacks last year<\/a>, the Phillies ran it back. That cannot happen again. This was a year where the Phillies needed to win it all<\/a> and they failed to do so. A .186\/.295\/.302 line in a postseason series for a team that has invested so much money in position players is unacceptable. The quiet bats were the main reason the Phillies lost the series. Furthermore a .194\/.219\/.290 line with runners in scoring position showcases the offensive struggles. For the third year in a row, the Phillies’ bats went cold when it mattered most.<\/p>\n

Not helping matters, the pitching staff had a 5.82 ERA during the series. To make matters worse, the bullpen had a 11.37 ERA compared to a respectable 2.53 ERA for starting pitchers. In both Game 1 and Game 4, the Phillies top high-leverage relief pitchers failed to hold onto a one-run lead. Game 2 required a walk-off hit for the Phillies to win because of the bullpen as well. This NLDS against the Mets was a repeat of the last four games in the 2023 NLCS for the Phillies in many ways. Bullpen failures followed by the bats going ice cold is a recipe for an early postseason exit. Changes need to be made. If the Phillies were going to win the World Series with this group, it was this year.<\/p>\n

Phillies Need a Shakeup After Another October Letdown<\/h2>\n

Areas for Potential Roster Changes<\/h3>\n

The core of Bryce Harper<\/a>, Zack Wheeler<\/a>, Aaron Nola<\/a> and Trea Turner<\/a> should and will remain<\/a> in place. Other areas of the roster, however, will need work. This will lead to some tough decisions for the front office. Alec Bohm<\/a>, Nick Castellanos<\/a>, Brandon Marsh<\/a>, and Johan Rojas<\/a> are all possible trade candidates in the offseason, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Bryson Stott<\/a> should also be considered a trade candidate. Some of those players will be traded, but chances are not all of them will be. It is not fun to be in this position, but this is where the Phillies are after falling short for the third year in a row.<\/p>\n

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As the Phillies begin to survey the wreckage from this NLDS exit, there are avenues to improve. Some more obvious than others. First stab at the biggest issues that will define this offseason: https:\/\/t.co\/4yRMScOmsg<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) October 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n