The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the top organizations in baseball and clearly had a lot of success in 2024.
Philadelphia was one of the top teams in baseball throughout the regular season, but couldn’t get over the hump when the lights were at their brightest in the playoffs. The Phillies won 95 regular season games but were taken out in the playoffs by the New York Mets thanks in large part to a struggling bullpen.
Now, the Phillies need to consider ways to add to the organization. MLB.com’s Brian Murphy made a list of the team that needs to improve most at each position. Murphy had the Phillies as one of the teams that needs to improve in the outfield and suggested former Baltimore Orioles slugger Anthony Santander.
“The Phillies have been mentioned in recent rumors regarding (Chicago White Sox) left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet,” Murphy said. “Maybe bolstering their already great rotation with another ace is what will finally lift the Phillies to their first World Series title since 2008. They have been knocking on the door for a few years, only to be left empty-handed in October.
“Yet there is a more obvious need in the outfield, where general manager Dave Dombrowski has suggested that Nick Castellanos and Brandon Marsh are locked into starting roles. The Phils were offensively anemic in center field this season (.353 slugging percentage, 80 wRC+), although they could choose to put Marsh back in center for the majority of the time and take a shot on a corner-outfield slugger such as switch-hitter Anthony Santander.”
Santander clubbed 44 home runs in 2024 and is just 30 years old. He’s projected to get a five-year, $88 million deal this winter. That is one the Phillies can afford and it would be a great idea to get a deal done.