Phillies Boss: ‘Players Have Focused On What Happened’ Entering Spring Training
The Philadelphia Phillies' 2023 season didn't end like they were hoping it would. With a 3-2 lead heading home for Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, the Phillies lost the last two games to the Arizona Diamondbacks, which proved to be a shocking turn of events.
From a talent standpoint, Philadelphia appeared to be the better team. But, better talent didn't win out and the Phillies headed into a long offseason, squandering an opportunity to return to the World Series.
If that didn't motivate the club, nothing will. Philadelphia's core isn't getting any younger and like any other contending team, it never knows how long its championship window will stay open.
Philadelphia enters this season with a chance to win a World Series, dependent upon a variety of factors, including health.
Mike Lupica of MLB.com asked Phillies president of baesball operations Dave Dombrowski how his team feels heading into the season.
“I think all clubs come into spring training [highly motivated],” he said. “Not sure how much more motivated we will be. However, do know that many of the players this winter have focused on what happened to them as a club, and, will look to address that.”
The Phillies are a veteran team and their most significant move was hanging onto its own free agent, pitcher Aaron Nola, on a seven-year, $172 million deal.
Other National League teams make significant moves, most notably the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers added Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, arguably the top two players on the market this offseason. The Phillies made a push for Yamamoto but were unsuccessful.
The Atlanta Braves had the best record in baseball last regular season but lost to the Phillies in the NL Division Series. It would not surprise anyone to see the Braves make another run.
Philadelphia can do the same, but only they can control that.
