I just don't know if there's a magic World Series team-buildingg formula. The Dodgers got bounced from the first round two years in a row before they finally won it (and before that they won like 10 division titles but could only win a WS in the Covid year). The Rangers and DBacks GMs did not build dominant teams that were aligned with playoff success in 2023 (or since!). The Mets didn't beat us last year because of Cohen's money or better talent.
I do think the better team won in the 2022 World Series but that was probably as much because the Phillies had to play and win more games to get there, and because the Astros had more playoff experience. But even then, things could have gone differently a couple of different times (they also could have easily been swept had they not come back in Game 1).
I'll be a little disappointed if they don't make a bigger move and exceed the next tax threshold if the right opportunity is there but I also can't find any fault with how this team was built given what was and wasn't out there in trade and free agency, and just as importantly, what lies ahead (where they will have money to spend but also players to bring back or not - and most of all they need the players they've declined to trade for better deadline or off-season talent).
Truth is Dombrowski looks like a genius for getting Luzardo and his acquisition of Romano proved to be correct. If Alvarado hadn't been suspended the pen would be fine. Last year's pen still was before we'd ever heard of Carlos Estevez or dumped Soto and Seranthony.
In six weeks or so, we can start debating. Where do you draw the line on trading Abel? Crawford? Money alone won't do it. Really the Phillies are in a good position where they could trade Ranger or one of Kepler/Marsh if they see a chance to do something big for a bat.
