The Philadelphia Phillies have been the best team in baseball for most of the season. Despite some struggles in recent weeks, it’s still safe to say they’re currently the favorite to win the World Series. That can always change if they don’t get things together, but this team is trustworthy.
Dave Dombrowski has done a great job with this roster, and if all goes according to plan, they should be one of the better teams in the league for the next five or more seasons. Not only has he signed most of their top players over the past few years, but he’s also made sure they mesh well with one another. Much of their core is already under contract, which is as good a sign as anything else in the organization.
Even if the Phillies lose this year, they can take control of the situation and move on from there. If they need to sign another bat, pitcher, or whatever, they have the prospects to do so.
However, there are a few key players on their roster who will become free agents in the offseason if they don’t sign a new contract. One of those is recently signed relief pitcher Carlos Estevez. Philadelphia signed Estevez at the trade deadline, making a smart investment in one of the best closers in baseball.
He will become a free agent this offseason, and Will Leitch of MLB.com believes he is one of the biggest free agent prospects on the market.
“Most of the Phillies’ core is locked in for the next few years. However, Estévez (their biggest signing at the deadline) is one of two key pending free agents in the bullpen, along with 2024 All-Star Jeff Hoffman.”
Whether he stays on the team will likely depend on how well he pitches in October. If he pitches well in the regular season, that’s a good sign for the Phillies, but ultimately he needs to be at his best when it matters most. This team has one goal: to win the World Series.
Anything they do in the regular season is great, but if they don’t make it to the World Series, the year will ultimately be viewed as a disappointment.
All signs point to him pitching well in October, but it remains to be seen if he does. There’s a reason they signed him, as he posted an impressive 2.09 ERA this year and hasn’t allowed a single run in his first four appearances for the ballclub.
