The Philadelphia Phillies, fresh off their fourth consecutive postseason appearance, are indeed the team "running it back" every year, but the extent of their roster turnover may be more nuanced than initially meets the eye.
While the team has made significant investments in its core players, such as Bryce Harper and Trea Turner, the reality is that they've also retained a surprisingly large number of players from season to season. According to an analysis by the Phillies, just 38% of their postseason roster was new or departed from the Opening Day roster five years ago. This may not seem like a lot, but it's worth noting that some teams in the league have seen much more significant changes.
The comparison isn't entirely apples-to-apples, however. The Phillies' president, Dave Dombrowski, has been clear about his preference to stick with what works rather than taking risks on unproven players. This approach is reflected in their modest spending on free agents and trades during the offseason. While some teams like the Dodgers and Mets have broken the bank to bolster their rosters, the Phillies are more cautious.
Despite this, some critics argue that the team's reluctance to shake things up has led to stagnation. The Phillies' roster has been criticized for feeling like it's stuck in a rut, with few changes from one season to the next. However, it's worth noting that their regular-season record has actually improved during this stretch.
One potential concern is that the Phillies may be repeating themselves too much. If Nick Castellanos gets traded or released and doesn't make the 2026 Opening Day roster, only 10 players from the 2022 World Series would remain on the team's roster. While this might not seem like a lot, it's worth noting that these 10 players are some of the team's most prominent starting pitchers and everyday hitters.
Ultimately, whether or not the Phillies' approach to roster turnover is effective remains to be seen. The team's emphasis on stability and consistency may pay off in the long run, but it also carries the risk of stagnation if they're unable to adapt to changing circumstances. Only time will tell if their strategy continues to yield results.
While the team has made significant investments in its core players, such as Bryce Harper and Trea Turner, the reality is that they've also retained a surprisingly large number of players from season to season. According to an analysis by the Phillies, just 38% of their postseason roster was new or departed from the Opening Day roster five years ago. This may not seem like a lot, but it's worth noting that some teams in the league have seen much more significant changes.
The comparison isn't entirely apples-to-apples, however. The Phillies' president, Dave Dombrowski, has been clear about his preference to stick with what works rather than taking risks on unproven players. This approach is reflected in their modest spending on free agents and trades during the offseason. While some teams like the Dodgers and Mets have broken the bank to bolster their rosters, the Phillies are more cautious.
Despite this, some critics argue that the team's reluctance to shake things up has led to stagnation. The Phillies' roster has been criticized for feeling like it's stuck in a rut, with few changes from one season to the next. However, it's worth noting that their regular-season record has actually improved during this stretch.
One potential concern is that the Phillies may be repeating themselves too much. If Nick Castellanos gets traded or released and doesn't make the 2026 Opening Day roster, only 10 players from the 2022 World Series would remain on the team's roster. While this might not seem like a lot, it's worth noting that these 10 players are some of the team's most prominent starting pitchers and everyday hitters.
Ultimately, whether or not the Phillies' approach to roster turnover is effective remains to be seen. The team's emphasis on stability and consistency may pay off in the long run, but it also carries the risk of stagnation if they're unable to adapt to changing circumstances. Only time will tell if their strategy continues to yield results.
, but what's up with them not shaking things up? They've got some great core players like Harper and Trea Turner, but then they just keep the same old bench warmers 
. It's like they're playing it safe too much... I get it, stability is important, but isn't progress or growth kinda key to winning in the long run? 
they've still made the playoffs 4 yrs in a row and their record's actually improved during this stretch. i mean, dont get me wrong, its cool to see some new faces in the lineup, but stability is key for these guys. theres no way dombrowski wouldve brought back so many players from past years if it wasn't working out 
plus, they've still got some big bucks locked up with harper and trea. i think its all about balance. dont wanna be like the dodgers who broke the bank on free agents every year 
... maybe it's a good thing they're cautious with their spending and player moves? but on the other hand, what happens when nick castellanos does leave or gets released? will that be enough to really shake things up? 
. Newsflash: sometimes you gotta break some eggs to make an omelette, fam! 
If Nick Castellanos is the only one who makes it back and they're still winning, isn't that proof enough that their system is working? 
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. The Phillies are actually not that far behind with 38%! It's all about how you spin it, I guess... 
. Over the past 5 years, the Phillies' payroll has only increased by 14% 
. That's pretty moderate! Meanwhile, teams like the Dodgers have seen their payrolls jump by 50%! 
The Phillies have also maintained an impressive .585 winning percentage during this stretch 
. Not bad for a "stagnant" roster 
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. Don't get me wrong, guys like Harper and Turner are awesome, but what about new blood? It feels like they're stuck in this 'we know what works' mindset, which might not be the best for a team trying to stay competitive long-term... 
. Don't get me wrong, consistency is great and all, but can't they find a way to balance stability with some risk-taking? I mean, 38% of their postseason roster being new players from five years ago seems kinda low 
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. On the other hand, its good that theyre sticking together, maybe they can build a super team one day 
. What do you guys think? Should they keep going for stability or shake things up and try to catch lightning in a bottle? 
. It's like building a house on a rock solid base - you don't need to tear everything down just because something's not working 
. The key is finding that balance between making changes and keeping the core intact. I mean, 38% of new faces might seem low, but it shows they're smart about it 
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. But I guess only time'll tell if their strategy pays off in the long run 
!