The MLB offseason is heating up, and the Philadelphia Phillies are right in the middle of it all. After parting ways with manager Rob Thomson, the franchise is at a crossroads—and the decisions they make in the coming weeks could reshape their future.

Currently sitting at 15-20, the Phillies are in fourth place in the NL East, a staggering 10 games behind the division-leading Atlanta Braves. With a record like that, it’s clear this team isn’t looking to add big names at the trade deadline. Instead, this could be the perfect opportunity to hit the reset button, move on from certain players, and build for a brighter tomorrow.

But don’t expect the Phillies to go quiet. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Dave Dombrowski, the team’s president of baseball operations, has already noted that trade talks are picking up early this season—partly because so many high-payroll teams are underperforming. The hottest names on the market? Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara and Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, who could be dealt before the August 3 deadline.

And here’s where things get really interesting: Nightengale reports that the Phillies are confident Alex Cora will be their manager in 2027. That’s a huge vote of confidence in one of the game’s most sought-after minds. But with Cora expected to draw interest from the Houston Astros and New York Mets this winter, the Phillies will need to put a compelling team on the field to lure him in.

That means the front office faces a delicate balancing act. Do they trade away veteran talent now to stock the farm system, or hold onto key pieces to make the roster more attractive to a future manager like Cora? Every move at the trade deadline will send a signal—not just to fans, but to the next man in the dugout.

One thing’s for sure: this offseason just got a whole lot more interesting. Stay tuned, because the Phillies are playing chess while the rest of the league is still figuring out the opening moves.