Philadelphia Phillies predicted to repeat in mediocrity next season

The predictions are in! FanGraphs’ ZiPS projections have the Philadelphia Phillies going 82-80 next season.

Was that déjà vu you just experienced? It’s a repeat of what the team did in 2021. No better or worse than the team was last season, it’s a projection that should have us all begging the front office to do more when the MLB lockout comes to an end.

Another Philadelphia Phillies season of mediocrity may be upon us.

Let’s try to spin this bit of new positively. The Phillies, having only added Corey Knebel to the roster, haven’t gotten worse! Even though it’s a third-place finish instead of second, where they were last year behind only the Atlanta Braves, there is still some hope.

The team did lose some significant players in free agency. Hector Neris will no longer be in the bullpen. Outfielder Andrew McCutchen, still unsigned, probably won’t be back either. They’ll head into the season without a center fielder and at least one question mark in the rotation.

Considering the team’s record didn’t get any worse, either these projections are expecting Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, and Zack Wheeler to tie for the MVP or there’s faith the front office is able to bring in some talent.

The Phillies haven’t been shy about adding players in the offseason. Prior to 2019, we saw them go for broke. The club had a whole new look with Harper, Realmuto, McCutchen, Jean Segura, and more brought in. The result wasn’t promising. After falling a game shy of .500 the season prior at 80-82, they only improved by a single game to 81-81.

It was the first time the Phillies had been at .500 or better since 2012. The feeling wasn’t good. The team was meant to do so much more.

Because this is only a projection from FanGraphs, the 82-80 future could improve a lot before Opening Day. The Phillies didn’t lose any of their best players. They can improve the outfield, the bullpen, and other spots on the roster. There’s time, players available, and a whole lot of fans who want to have a reason to follow this team closely again.

This hasn’t been a particularly productive era of baseball in Philadelphia. Like so many Sixers teams before “The Process,” they’re right there in the middle. It’s no place to be.