Captain, The title hopes would have in all probability been gone even with Turner and Wheeler nonetheless taking part in. Face it – as a staff, the Phils can’t hit good pitching, and too lots of the Phils high gamers simply don’t come via within the clutch. Despite the fact that he has had the most effective yr in his profession, Schwarber continues to be #5 in all of baseball for runners left on base.
What’s extra, each one of many Phils pitchers will be and has been hit this season. That features Wheeler, Nola, and Duran. So, the Phils’ pitching shouldn’t be as tight because it must be to win a world championship.
Thompson has additionally chosen a horrible time to create staff unrest by not taking part in Castellanos full time. Castellanos carried the staff offensively for the primary half of the season, and doesn’t need to be handled the way in which he has been the previous few weeks, particularly since he’s nonetheless underneath contract for 2026. He speaks his thoughts, and that has in all probability rubbed Thompson and the Phils’ entrance workplace the flawed means.
A part of benching Castellanos could must do with the Phils have to shed wage this offseason in an try to resign Schwarber. Castellanos could have already got one foot out the door, and $20 million, minus the amount of cash the Phils must ship to a different staff to commerce Castellanos, may very well be put towards Schwarber’s future provide.
Suarez is gone, and Realmuto could also be gone as effectively. So, it will seem to the uninformed that the Phils can have cash to burn this offseason, and signing Schwarber ought to be simple for the Phils to do, no matter how a lot he prices.
The Phils are in all probability already relying on Suarez leaving, however will attempt to resign Realmuto. Nevertheless, Realmuto was the pioneer for higher catchers salaries, and along with his second half efficiency, it’s uncertain he’ll give the Phils the hometown low cost they anticipate. Realmuto is making $23 million this yr and can in all probability be in search of a $100 million 4-year contract at minimal. He’ll simply get that from one other staff if the Phils don’t pony up. Suarez is simply making $8.8 million this yr, however he’ll command a $20 – $25 million a yr, multi-year contract from one other staff as effectively.
Even when Wheeler doesn’t play in 2026, his wage will nonetheless rely towards the Phils’ payroll and luxurious tax points. So, at most, the Phils will achieve $20 + $8.8 + $23+ million, or roughly $52 million if Castellanos is traded with out a cash requirement, and if Suarez and Realmuto go away.
Sadly, guys like Duran, Bader, and a lot of the Phils’ present starters can be anticipating sizeable wage will increase in 2026. What’s extra, further outfield assist and a alternative for Realmuto gained’t come low-cost, nor will resigning Robertson who’s presently making a pro-rated $16 million wage..
So, will the Phils be capable to afford Schwarber after this season? Estimates name for him signing his subsequent contract for as little as $100 million over 4 years to $300 million over 7 years. If the previous is prologue, the Phils can be reluctant to increase him for greater than 3 years due to his age, incapacity to play protection, and historical past of inconsistency, and unwilling to match the affords of massive market groups that miss out on the world collection this yr, however have cash to burn and see Schwarber as an improve at DH. So, no matter what you learn on-line or within the papers, the Phils extending Schwarber could also be harder and unlikely than individuals understand.
Lastly, Dave Roberts criticized MLBs playoff construction final season as a result of it gave the highest 2 division winners in every league a first-round bye within the playoffs. Presently, that will be the Brewers and Phils within the NL, and Blue Jays and Tigers within the AL. Particularly, Roberts felt the bye was an obstacle to groups as a result of that they had the potential to lose their momentum and aggressive edge throughout the bye week.
If Roberts is right, the highest groups I’ve talked about will begin the playoffs at an obstacle. This makes one surprise if a couple of of the extra savvy groups in baseball have been taking part in effectively sufficient to win their division or a wild card this yr, however not taking part in effectively sufficient to have the most effective or second greatest total file of their league. Managers can simply management video games to place robust groups favorably for the playoffs. So, it is going to be attention-grabbing to see how groups just like the Dodgers and Astros do within the playoffs, although they didn’t end the season with the most effective information of their leagues.
