Major League Baseball

Philadelphia Phillies: 2016 Season in Review

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:50 p.m. ET

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Oct 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Howard (6) tips his hat to the fans as he is honored during a pregame ceremony before action against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Phillies finished in fourth place in the National League East Division for the 2016 MLB season, the club’s fourth consecutive losing campaign.

When Grapefruit League action ended and the Philadelphia Phillies left their spring training home in Clearwater, Florida back at the end of March, there were few who held high hopes for the coming 2016 season.

The Fightin’ Phils had ceased any serious fightin’ after a .500 season in 2012, one which put an end to a streak of five consecutive NL East crowns and nine straight winning seasons.

Entering 2016, the club and its fans had suffered through three consecutive losing seasons, including a 63-99 debacle a year ago that was the franchise’ worst since 1972, and left them at the very bottom of Major League Baseball.

So when 2016 opened with the Phillies getting swept out of Great American Ball Park by the host Cincinnati Reds, it just seemed like the team was in for more of the same.

After two weeks, they were still struggling along at 6-9 after losing four of their five games leading up to that point.

Then something suddenly and quite unexpectedly changed. The Phils walked-off the Washington Nationals and their own former closer, Jonathan Papelbon, on a mid-April Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

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That thrilling victory sparked a run of winning baseball, the likes of which had not been seen down in South Philly since the 2011 Phillies were setting a franchise record by wrapping up a 102-win campaign.

From that point through mid-May over a full month of the baseball calendar, the Phillies went 18-8 and surged up the NL East standings.

For a few heady hours following a 4-2 afternoon home win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, May 18th, the Phillies were tied for first place in the division.

That night, the Nationals stomped the New York Mets, pushing a half-game up on the Phillies, who would never again reach the top of the standings this season.

There were fans who were getting carried away with things here in Philly during that run, believing that it was possible that the club was ahead of schedule in their rebuilding program, and that perhaps they were ready to at least stay in the NL Wildcard conversation over the summer.

Alas, it wasn’t to be. The Phillies began to lose the very next day, and then continued to lose regularly. They dropped two out of three at home to the worst team in baseball at the time, the division rival Atlanta Braves, starting a devastating 6-26 slide that crushed that Wildcard talk for good.

Once they came out of that tailspin in late June, the Phils basically tread water over the balance of the 2016 schedule, until suffering a final late-season collapse.

When the season got underway, I was opening my second season as the editor for the FanSided Phillies-centric site “That Ball’s Outta Here“, and predicted that this year’s club would finish with a 75-87 record.

Heading into the final two weeks, they had a shot, sitting with a 70-85 mark and having won three of their previous four games. It would take a 5-2 finish.

Instead, the Phillies dropped six straight, finally ending the skid and their 2016 with a victory on the final day of the season.

The final result was a 71-91 record, and a fourth place finish in the NL East Division. While it was an eight game improvement and one place up in the standings from 2015, by the end it really didn’t feel as though there had been much improvement at all.

Let’s take a segment-by-segment look back at the particulars, as well as a quick peek into the immediate future for the Phillies at this juncture of the ongoing rebuilding program.

Jun 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; (From left to right ) Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Herrera (37) and shortstop Galvis and third baseman Franco and second baseman Blanco prior to action against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

PHILLIES 2016 POSITION PLAYERS

Odubel Herrera was the team’s lone NL All-Star representative. In his second big league season, Herrera hit for a .286/.361/.420 slash line with 15 homers. He led the club with 25 stolen bases and 87 runs scored.

Oct 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Howard (6) greets first baseman Joseph (19) as he is subbed out during the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

First base was expected to be a platoon when the season opened, with veteran Ryan Howard, likely in his Phillies swan song after a long and mostly glorious career, splitting time with perennially disappointing Darin Ruf.

Instead, while Ruf again was largely disappointing and relegated to the minors for the majority of the season, it was rookie Tommy Joseph who emerged to form the right-handed side of that platoon.

Together, Howard and Joseph combined for 46 home runs, 71 extra-base hits, and 106 RBI. On the season’s final day, the club and its fans bid a proper farewell to ‘The Big Piece’ with a stirring ceremony.

Middle infielders Freddy Galvis and Cesar Hernandez were a mixed bag. Galvis showed surprising pop, banging 20 homers and driving in 67 runs, and chipped in with 17 stolen bases.

Hernandez hit .294 with a .371 on-base percentage to lead the team in both categories. His speed allowed him to swipe 17  bags. But he was also thrown out stealing 13 times, often running the club out of scoring opportunities with maddening consistency.

At the hot corner, Maikel Franco tied for the club lead with 25 homers and led the squad with 88 RBI. However, his .255/.306/.427 slash line in his first full big league season is a disappointment, and he seemed lost at the plate for large stretches.

Aside from Herrera, there was little to no production from the rest of the outfield corps. Peter Bourjos, Tyler Goeddel, Aaron Altherr, Cody Asche, and Jimmy Paredes received the vast majority of the innings in the other two spots.

Those five players took up two regular spots in the lineup and produced just a combined 21 homers, 115 runs scored, and 97 RBI. Altherr led the group with a .253 average and .304 on-base percentage.

Behind the plate, Cameron Rupp hit 16 homers over 419 plate appearances, and did a nice job handling the often-changing pitching staff.

A.J. Ellis came in a late season trade for veteran Carlos Ruiz and did a nice job after the beloved ‘Chooch’ finished up his once-glorious Phillies career with a largely uneventful and unproductive final four months.

With Howard and Ruiz now gone, the final pages have been turned on the Phillies past, and it is all about the future.

Of the position players receiving regular playing time this past season, only Herrera, Franco, and perhaps Joseph seem to have a place in a future winning Phillies starting lineup.

Joseph will have to prove that he can handle himself against all types of pitching on an everyday basis in 2017 before he can be considered a true part of a future core.

Galvis may have a utility role, or may even be able to start for a contender, but only if he can slide over to 2nd base and handle that position well.

The biggest key will be Franco, who has the talent to be so much more than he demonstrated on most days over this past season. He needs to step up and become a far more consistent hitter in the middle of the lineup.

Next: PHILLIES 2016: PITCHING STAFF

Jun 7, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Eickhoff (48) in the dugout after pitching the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Cubs, 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

PHILLIES 2016 PITCHING STAFF

The Phillies began the 2016 season with a starting pitching rotation made up of newly signed veterans Jeremy Hellickson and Charlie Morton, returning youngsters Aaron Nola and Jerad Eickhoff, and new trade acquisition Vincent Velasquez.

By the end of September, only Hellickson and Eickhoff remained taking turns on the hill. Both Morton and Nola were lost to injuries, while Velasquez was shut down in early September.

Jul 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Nola (27) reacts after being hit by a line drive as catcher Rupp (29) calls for time during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. The Marlins defeated the Phillies, 3-2 in 11 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Over the course of the summer, both Adam Morgan and Alec Asher, each of whom had disappointed a year ago in their respective big league debuts, were given another shot at the rotation.

Also, rookies Zach Eflin and Jake Thompson received their baptism to Major League Baseball, while journeyman Phil Klein made two spot starts for the club.

Hellickson went 12-10 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.153 WHIP, tossing 189 innings over 32 starts. He allowed 173 hits, and also had a 154/45 K:BB ratio.

In short, the righty who will turn 30 years old just as the 2017 season is getting underway put himself in line for a nice payday in what will be a weak free agent class. While the Phils would like him back, and he says he would return, that is likely a long shot.

Eickhoff was the revelation. Almost an afterthought to most Phillies fans after he came over from Texas as part of the Cole Hamels trade at the 2015 deadline, he was proven since that he is a legit mid-back rotation option for the present and long-term.

Morton was lost to injury in late April for the season before we could really get a gauge on what he could contribute. There is a chance that the club could bring him back for another shot at eating some innings on a one-year deal again in 2017.

Nola is perhaps the most disturbing situation in the short-term. He is beginning to throw, though not yet from a mound, and frankly there is no way of knowing what to expect for 2017.

There is a chance that he could simply work his way back, and again be a reliable #2 type starting pitcher. There is also a real chance that he could need Tommy John surgery, and miss the entire 2017 campaign.

Aug 21, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Velasquez (28) throws a pitch during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Velasquez showed that he can dominate big league lineups. However, he also was inconsistent at times, and often found himself removed early from starts due to rising pitch counts.

If he can harness his talents with accompanying discipline, he could be an ace.  He has that top-of-the-rotation potential, with a downside of a potential closer.

Both Eflin and Thompson demonstrated in their short time that they can also be counted on as rotation regulars down the line. Eflin will have to bounce back from his own injury troubles, while Thompson should enter spring training with a rotation berth that is his to lose.

In the bullpen, Jeanmar Gomez emerged as the surprising closer when others had failed at the opportunity during spring training.

Despite his 37 Saves, he was largely miscast in that role, collapsing over the final month, and would best serve the team with a return to his 7th inning relief role.

The team’s best reliever over the course of the season was perhaps the man best suited for that long-term closer role, right-hander Hector Neris.

Neris pitched a pen-high 80.1 innings over 79 games and allowed just 59 hits with a dominating 102/30 K:BB ratio.

His 161 ERA+ and 3.30 FIP marks further demonstrate that Neris is clearly the Phillies best option at the end of ballgames.

David Hernandez was the only other reliever to appear on a regular basis for the club over the full season.

In 70 games,the 31-year old free agent signee tossed 72.2 innings with an 80/32 K:BB ratio, allowing 77 hits. Once again a free agent, his return is questionable.

23-year old righty Edubray Ramos was largely a positive during his rookie season, and should be a part of the 2017 Phillies bullpen.

The club used 10 starting pitchers and 17 relievers this past season. While healthy always plays a role in determining the makeup of any team’s staff over the course of a season, the Phillies really need to start finding more stability here to have greater success.

Next: PHILLIES 2016: COACHING AND FRONT OFFICE

Jun 28, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Mackanin (45) looks on against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning at Chase Field. The Phillies won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

PHILLIES 2016 COACHING AND MANAGEMENT

Pete Mackanin is now 108-142 over roughly a season and a half at the helm of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Taking over a moribund team following the sudden resignation of Ryne Sandberg a year ago, Mackanin took the club home at a 37-51 mark that was a .420 pace.

This year, Mackanin’s squad finished 71-91, which translates to a .438 pace. That is modest improvement when looked at in total.

Mar 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies hitting coach Henderson (5) talks with center fielder Bourjos (17) prior to the game against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

But considering the club was just 47-64 (.423) over the final four and a half months, and the collapse at the end of the year, it’s really no improvement at all.

There has already been change in the coaching staff. Steve Henderson was fired as the Hitting Coach after this year’s team finished last in all of baseball in runs scored.

“I look at the team statistics,” Mackanin said per Matt Gelb at Philly.com. “When you’re 13th, 14th, and 15th in 10 of those categories, that tells you all you need to know. We’re down at the bottom in hitting. Numbers matter. They tell you the story.”

Entering 2017, the Pitching Coach, Bob McClure, has to be considered squarely on the hot seat. This was his third season in that role, and the overall staff beyond the top handful of arms needs to start showing more consistency.

In fact, Mackanin himself has to be considered on the hot seat. While it has been acknowledged that he was dealt a rotten hand, he needs to begin to show that he can win at the big league level if he wants to be considered more than a caretaker skipper who is simply guiding the club during a transition period.

There is a much longer leash for management and ownership in the front office. They also took charge in the last year, and are quite obviously keyed on building for the long-term.

The minor league organization was extremely successful during the 2016 season, with four of the teams reaching the postseason.

GM Matt Klentak now has to find a way to improve the offensive production in the short-term while not investing large dollars on aging veterans.

Jun 29, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Andy MacPhail (right) talks as part owner John Middleton (left) watches on during a press conference at Citizens Bank Park to introduce him as special assistant and future president of the Philadelphia Phillies. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, controlling owner John Middleton has stepped into the spotlight and is clearly a man determined to fund a longterm winner.

Middleton recently spoke on a number of issues related to the rebuilding process, and has his eyes set on the 2018 and 2019 free agent classes. The Phillies will be in as good a position as any MLB team, and could quickly become big spenders and strong contenders.

The problem for Phillies fans is that 2018 is two years away, and the free agent class come at the end of that season.

Phillies fans are likely looking at two more seasons with not much more than a .500 season as a goal. That doesn’t mean that we should expect losing baseball, or that there will be little to cheer.

Prospects like J.P. Crawford, Nick Williams, and Ben Lively need to reach the big leagues, and youngsters like Thompson, Roman Quinn, and Jorge Alfaro need to take on a bigger role in that time.

It will be Klentak and club president Andy MacPhail’s responsibility to ensure that Mackanin gets the best possible talent to help reach the .500 level over these next two seasons, and then Middleton and ownership’s responsibility to ensure that the team wins the bidding to push them over the top after that point.

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