After the Philadelphia Phillies started the National League Championship Series up 2-0, they appeared destined for the World Series. Then the Arizona Diamondbacks stormed back, winning four of the last five games, and eliminated the Phillies in a stunning upset.
It's perhaps the worst loss in Phillies history. This team had everything going for it: an incredibly talented roster, headlined by stars Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber. They had high-end pitching with Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. They also had the best home field advantage in baseball.
To not win the World Series, or even make the World Series, makes the 2023 season a failure.
Now, team president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is tasked with getting the Phillies back to the World Series, and winning it. The team is close, of course, but there are things that the team needs to figure out, and soon.
Here are the Phillies' top three priorities for this offseason.
Determining the future of Phillies managerRob Thomson
Thomson stepped in as Phillies manager after the team fired Joe Girardi, and did a masterful job. He guided the Phillies to the World Series last season. This season, he had the team primed to go back once again before their collapse against the Diamondbacks.
Which has led to some speculation, mainly among fans, that the team should consider parting ways with Thomson and find a new voice to put the Phillies over the top.
But firing Thomson, a highly accomplished and respected manager, seems unimaginable for the Phillies. He's done a masterful job, going 155-118 in two seasons as the team's manager, and has deserved another season in Philadelphia and possibly even an extension to stay with the team long-term.
Expect Thompson to return to Philadelphia in 2024 and beyond.
Determining the future of Phillies ace Aaron Nola
Before the 2023 season, the Phillies tried to extend star right-hander Aaron Nola. The two sides were engaged in talks, but they were far apart in negotiations, mainly in years (reportedly Nola sought eight seasons while the team would only offer four or five years).
The two sides did not talk during the regular season and tabled talks until the offseason. Now, the two sides will rekindle negotiations, but the current expectation is that Nola will ultimately test free agency.
In 2022, Nola emerged as a star, posting a 3.25 ERA and 235 strikeouts in 205 innings pitched. He regressed in 2023, posting a 4.46 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 193.2 innings. But part of the appeal of Nola to the Phillies – and other teams in baseball – is his durability, as he's pitched at least 180.2 innings in each of his last five full seasons in the majors.
So signing Nola will be expensive. And while he'll likely test free agency, he wants to remain in Philadelphia. The Phillies seemingly want to retain him. Ultimately, I think the two sides will come to an agreement.
If not Nola, then who?
Let's say that Aaron Nola leaves in free agency. That would complicate things for the Phillies, and would send them searching for another high-end starting pitcher to pair with right-hander Zack Wheeler.
The good news is that there are a multitude of options for the Phillies to consider, mainly Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, among others. Dombrowski has a history of acquiring high-end left-handed starters - he acquired David Price twice in Detroit and Boston - so perhaps both Snell and Montgomery are pitchers to keep an eye on.
Another option could be Eduardo Rodriguez, who will opt out of his contract with the Detroit Tigers and become a free agent.
