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Preston Mattingly is inheriting a mess. Can he turn around the farm system before it’s too late?

Phillies Nation | October 6, 2021

Related Topics: Don Mattingly, Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies, Sam Fuld, Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award, Chuck LaMar, Ronald Torreyes, Travis Jankowski, Larry Rothschild

In some ways, the fate of the Phillies organization lies in the hands of new director of player development Preston Mattingly. Depth has been the team’s glaring issue since the franchise emerged from the rebuild.

The Phillies know how to buy superstars. Bryce Harper and Zack Wheeler, the team’s priciest expenditures, could take home the National League’s Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award.

Dave Dombrowski is entering his first full offseason as Phillies president of baseball operations. (Cheryl Pursell)

Building depth through free agency and trades is a different story. Of the 11 pitchers acquired via trade or free agency in the prior offseason or during the 2021 season, only three have put up a FanGraphs WAR total above replacement level.

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