The Philadelphia Phillies were eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in the National League Wild Card Series.
It took three games, but the Braves finally knocked off the Phillies. While the Braves prepare to take on the reigning champions, the Phillies are about to start a very important offseason. After firing their manager early in the year, it was a shock that the Phillies even made the postseason. However, even though the team made the postseason, their roster had some glaring holes.
The team still has needs and has some big names entering free agency. Luis Arraez, Alec Bohm, Adolis García, Edmundo Sosa and Jose Alvarado are all hitting free agency. While Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo will be back, the team will look very different.
"This was a brand new team," Harper told NBC Sports Philadelphia after the game. Obviously, we had the guys that are part of that core group that we are. I'd imagine this team is going to look a lot different next year with the guys that are kind of leaving this clubhouse."
Arraez is the big name for the Phillies to watch. He was the big trade deadline acquisition for them, but got hurt just before the postseason. He put to rest questions about his defense this year and hit .310 with a .765 OPS this year. His numbers were not as strong with the Phillies after the trade, but he has earned himself a payday, and it's clear the Phillies were a better team with him.
Bohm, who hit a game-winning home run in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series, has been involved in trade rumors for about two seasons now, and his time with the Phillies could very well be over. Beyond free agency, the Phillies could look to trade from their pitching depth to fill holes in the outfield.