"We want Juan Soto"; "Go get Alex Bregman and Garrett Crochet": Fans displeased by Philadelphia Phillies' lack of moves by Thanksgiving
The Philadelphia Phillies ended the 2024 season on a hugely disappointing note, as they crashed out of the postseason at the hands of the New York Mets in the NLDS. Having headed into an early offseason, the organization knew they were in for a busy offseason, as the fans clamored for improvements to the squad that misfired when it mattered most.
On Thursday, the Philadelphia Phillies' official page on X posted to wish fans a Happy Thanksgiving.
Numerous frustrated fans, however, replied to the post, stating that there was still plenty of business to be done in the winter before there was any reason for celebration. A few fans also named some high-profile free agents on the market at the moment, urging the Phils to potentially go out and snap them up.
"We want Juan Soto"
"go get alex bregman and garrett crochet then it’ll be a happy thanksgiving"
"Ya too early to be thankful for this team. Make a couple deals." a fan posted.
Other posts had a similar theme, with fans clamoring for Soto, Bregman, and Crochet.
"Let’s go Phillies! Go out and make some moves so we can bring that trophy back! Let’s start with a Juan Soto signing and make other big deals!" another fan exclaimed
"Sign bregman and trade for crochet at we’re happy," another fan shared.
"Replace Suarez and Bohm with Robert and Crochet and this is a happy thanksgiving" another fan wrote.
Philadelphia Phillies insiders oppose potential Mike Trout acquisition
On Monday, Philadelphia Phillies insiders at the PHLY Sports podcast discussed the potential acquisition of superstar Mike Trout from the Los Angeles Angels. With reports of Nick Castellanos potentially on his way out, the Phillies may be able to free up the $20 million a season they pay to the outfielder.
But for the panel, though Trout undoubtedly has bags of quality, his tendency to repeatedly find himself on the IL is too big an issue to look past.
"He [Mike Trout] hit forty home runs in 119 games [in 2022], with a slugging percentage at 630 and OPS just one point shy of one for an entirety of a season," Philadelphia Phillies insider Tyler Zulli said.
"It was an outstanding season, he was electric in those games. But, that's a full season at this point for Mike Trout. I don't know if you're gonna get 119 games from a guy who's gonna make $37 million. In three of the other four seasons surrounding it, he played 155 games total, for an average of 51 or 52 and a half games a season." [30:25]
Zulli added that Trout's contract would be a hindrance at the tail-end, especially since the Phillies would be an older team at that point with Bryce Harper and Trea Turner.
Philadelphia Phillies fans will be hoping the front office can finalize the required deals to ensure the team can finally deliver on the potential their star-studded squad possesses, and perhaps bring the World Series back to the city of brotherly love for the first time since 2008 in the upcoming season.