The Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up for the 2026 season with a largely unchanged roster that has celebrated consecutive National League East titles. With high expectations, the pressure intensifies on core players like Bryce Harper, according to a recent survey of Major League Baseball insiders conducted by Jayson Stark of The Athletic.
In the survey, which included insights from 36 executives, former executives, managers, coaches, and scouts, Harper and his teammates emerged as the group under the most pressure heading into the new season, receiving 18 votes. In comparison, Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees trailed significantly with only 10 votes. The sentiments surrounding the Phillies echo a troubling comparison to the final season of president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski with the Detroit Tigers, a time when the team had high expectations but ended up finishing last in the American League Central.
The last two seasons have not ended pleasantly for the Phillies, who have advanced to the National League Divisional Series after winning the division, only to be eliminated each time. This past year, a critical error by reliever Orion Kerkering in Game 4 aided the Los Angeles Dodgers in knocking the Phillies out of the playoffs. As a result, maintaining their competitive edge and overcoming postseason disappointments will be vital for the squad.
Dombrowski has made significant investments to retain the core that won 96 games last season, with notable contracts given to aging stars like Kyle Schwarber (five years, $150 million) and J.T. Realmuto (three years, $45 million). The team’s projected payroll for 2026 is a staggering $284 million, with all top ten highest-paid players aged over 30. While the Phillies have improved their win totals over the past four seasons, the postseason results have not followed suit, raising concerns among observers.
As the Phillies strive for success, they face the challenge of delivering on the investment and talent they have cultivated. The upcoming season promises to be a defining moment for the franchise, as they look to transform their regular-season successes into a deep postseason run. The hope remains that with their experienced roster, they can overcome past hurdles and finally capture the championship they’ve been chasing.