In March of 2019, the Philadelphia Phillies had 2/1 odds to win the NL East, following an offseason where they landed Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, Andrew McCutchen and Jean Segura. Nearly two years later, BetOnline says that the Phillies have a National League East-worst 9/1 odds.
In 2020, the Phillies finished in third place in the National League East, behind the playoff-bound Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins, but ahead of the New York Mets and Washington Nationals.
The landscape of the division has shifted this winter, though.
On Oct. 30, 2020, MLB owners approved the sale of the Mets to Steve Cohen, who immediately became the wealthiest MLB owner. Since then, the Mets have acquired Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco from Cleveland, along with signing catcher James McCann and reliever Trevor May.
The Mets, per the site, have the second best odds to win the National League East at 9/5, behind the three-time defending division champion Atlanta Braves, who sit at 3/2. The Washington Nationals (11/2) and Miami Marlins (15/2) and third and fourth, respectively.
The Phillies short-term future at catcher and shortstop is uncertain. J.T. Realmuto and Didi Gregorius remain free agents, although there was some movement on both fronts this week.
The Toronto Blue Jays seemingly remain in the mix for the two-time All-Star catcher, though Jayson Stark of The Athletic reported Friday that the Phillies have extended a five-year offer worth more than $100 million to him.
As far as Gregorius goes, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported earlier this week that the Phillies remain “engaged” with Gregorius, who homered 10 times and drove in 40 runs this past season for the Phillies.
Should the Phillies fail to re-sign Gregorius they might look to free agent Marcus Semien. Jim Bowden of The Athletic tweeted on Jan. 13 that the Phillies are one of four teams involved in negotiations with the former Oakland Athletic.
Semien is notable for his slick defense at shortstop. Since 2016, he has 19 defensive runs saved while slashing a respectable .255/.328/.436. In 2019 he finished third in American League MVP voting.
While their division odds remain low, the team’s immediate future is fluid. Should the Phillies sign any of these free agents, their odds to win what’s going to be a heavily-contested division will improve.
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