3 offseason changes Phillies must make to return to World Series

Making the right moves with their free agency players

Of course, free agency allows a player flexibility to switch teams in the offseason without being under club control. This could be dangerous for the Phillies as some of their most needed players entered free agency.

Noah Syndergaard, for example, will hit free agency. He’s versatile and can be used as a starter or reliever, and though he may not be the best arm in the league, he’s certainly worth keeping around while the team addresses its bullpen issues because he can typically step up when needed.

For a longer-term move, extension of Aaron Nola’s contract should start coming into conversation. He’s under club control through 2023 and then hits free agency in 2024, but several teams will likely be after him. He’s been one of the most reliable pitchers in the rotation in Philadelphia, and they truly can’t afford to lose him if they want to continue to be contenders.

Jean Segura is in the same boat as Nola, being under club control through 2023 and hitting free agency in 2024. He’s been a solid player in the lineup and has been incredible defensively, so he’d leave a massive hole in the roster as well.

Philadelphia needs to deeply consider who they should prioritize in keeping around and who they could clear up for development, and they need to begin making moves before they’re crunched for time.

Expect the Phillies to chase a reliable veteran starter, such as Carlos Rodon, to fill a spot in the top half of the rotation. That’ll be doubly true if they lose Syndergaard.