It’s not often that a sentence like this can be written with a straight face about a team coming off a 96-win season, but it feels appropriate right now: The Phillies are in trouble.

With spring training just weeks away, the Phillies have run it back—just don’t tell that to Rob Thomson.

The team, on paper, is clearly worse than it was when they walked off the field in Los Angeles in early October.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers and Mets are better. The Braves, on health alone, will be better. The path back to the same spot the Phillies were one year ago—trying to get over the top in a big October moment—will be far more challenging to get to in 2026.

But the most concerning part is actually something I haven’t mentioned yet.

What’s the plan?

That, more than if the 2026 team dips to 86 wins, is my big question.

Is this a gap year? If so, why give J.T. Realmuto a three-year contract? Are the Phillies prepping for a 2027 year without baseball, and resetting things for a post-cap era? If so, why not sell off more parts to truly be ready for that day or at least offer big-money deals with opt-outs like the Mets and Dodgers did?

The overwhelmingly likelihood: The Phillies are stuck. They are stuck because of bad money already spent. They are stuck because ownership has reached its spending breaking point. They are stuck because the combination of brains and spending power in Los Angeles and New York is just stronger. They are stuck because Dave Dombrowski has fallen behind the curve of the best minds in the sport.

Please join me in supporting a friend in need of prayers, donations and support. Here’s a link to learn about Lauren Gilbert’s journey, and how you can help.

We had ESP on to talk about the Eagles offensive coordinator search.

I ranked Dave Dombrowski’s five biggest mistakes of the offseason on WIP Daily.

Thanks for reading and subscribing!