Maybe we’re getting greedy.

In recent off-seasons, the Phillies have made some pretty big splashes.

• 2018-19: Traded for J.T. Realmuto and signed Bryce Harper

• 2019-20: Signed Zack Wheeler

• 2020-21: Signed Realmuto as a free agent

• 2021-22: Signed Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos

• 2022-23: Signed Trea Turner

  
  

So far this time, the Phils’ biggest splash has been in free agency, re-signing Aaron Nola to a seven-year, $172 million contract. For a team that’s already a World Series contender, retaining Nola was hugely important. He was highly sought after by many other teams and it’s far better to have signed him than pay the same kind of money to Blake Snell, or snag Jordan Montgomery or Sonny Gray (who signed with the Cardinals this week) to a cheaper deal. 

But it feels a bit underwhelming, for two reasons. First, Nola is not a new addition. Second, Nola had a mostly down season in 2023.

Yes, fans want the team to add to a roster that fell one win short of returning to the World Series. Perhaps that’s unfair, given the team’s payroll is already projected to be among the top five, if not top three, in baseball. But Dave Dombrowski likes to make big moves, and with his most pressing priority out of the way, he can play around a little. 

So, is there another big move coming?

With Harper taking on first base duties and Schwarber now the DH full-time, there’s an opening in left field. While the Phils could go out and sign a corner outfielder like Joc Pederson, Tommy Pham or Adam Duvall, with Christian Pache and/or Johan Rojas getting at-bats as a reserve, Dombrowski could also go big here.

Juan Soto? Mike Trout? The availability of both players is in question, and a deal would be steep in terms of prospects and dollars. Either would be a huge shot of adrenaline for the fanbase, and the lineup.

The Phillies have also been rumored to be interested in 25-year-old Japanese phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto. 

The Phils have never been heavily involved in signing a Japanese star like this, mainly because talents like this have never viewed Philadelphia as a prime baseball destination, but perhaps the insanity at Citizens Bank Park the last two postseasons has changed all that. Adding him would give the Phillies a “super rotation” similar to what they had in 2011, only they’d have it for years to come. 

And what about the bullpen? Craig Kimbrel is gone, and Phils fans would like to see an improvement in that area.