The Philadelphia Phillies are set to take the field for the first time this season against the Atlanta Braves. As the Phillies take on their NL East rivals, expectations are sky high for the team going into opening day. The Phillies are the first team in MLB history to add three all-stars from the previous season to their roster in one offseason.
Those additions being JT Realmuto, Jean Segura and Bryce Harper. Harper was the most known addition to the media throughout the country. Harper is a former NL rookie of the year and NL MVP. Harper was the biggest free agent, and it took a lot to get him to Philadelphia.
It took all of 330 million dollars to get him to play for the Phillies. Andrew McCutchen also signed a contract with the Phillies in the offseason. McCutchen is a former NL MVP with the San Francisco Giants, however he is much older now, he can still contribute to the team in the leadoff spot.
With the additions of all these names, plus the core group of players that are returning from last season, expectations are high. The Phillies should win at least 85 wins this year, if not more. I also expect the Phillies to win a playoff series.
With all the players that have come in here in free agency, then add Rhys Hoskins, Jake Arrieta and Aaron Nola; an NL East division pennant is in the future. Nola finished third in Cy Young voting last season in the national league, while Hoskins can easily hit 40 home runs batting behind Harper. This team has a lot of potential, but Maikel Franco, Odubel Herrera and Cesar Hernandez have to step up at the bottom of the order.
These three key players are going to see great pitches due to the top half of the order being so dominant. I could see this team playing in the NLCS.
