Phillies try to show run to World Series was just a start

Harper is having elbow surgery. The Phillies won the World Series. They spent $179 million on Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos. Manager Rob Thomson got an extension. The team was 23-29 at the start of the season. It was 5 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot in early June. Now Rob is charged with winning the first World Cup since 2008. He will sing the national anthem if they lose next season, as he did in the past. "Philadelphia Rob" is the team's only player.

Harper played this season with a small tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his throwing elbow. Harper last played the field at Miami on April 16. He did have a platelet-rich plasma injection in his elbow and more rest could solve the issue naturally.

Aaron Nola signed a contract extension with the Phillies. First baseman Rhys Hoskins could be traded. The team declined the $17 million option on Jean Segura and Zach Eflin. They have Kyle Gibson, Brad Hand, Corey Knebel, David Robertson and Noah Syndergaard among their free agents. The Phillies have about $75 million in payroll to shed this winter. John Middleton wants to spend that money on free agent players.

Phillies are trying to show their run to World Series was just a start. The Braves and Mets won 101 games each, while the Dodgers won 111. Andrew Painter, Mick Abel and Griff McGarry are among the top minor league pitching prospects in the game.