In many ways, the current Phillies feel like the Yankees on a parallel path in the National League. Plenty of star-powered sizzle. A clubhouse that purports to have incredible leadership and unimpeachable vibes. Yet somehow ... the team takes a step back every season instead of building on their past successes, in much the same way no Yankee fan from 2017 would believe you if you told them it never got any better.
Unlike the Yankees, the Phillies' window might actually be closing.
Dave Dombrowski, no stranger to cashing his prospect chips in when he has a championship to chase, didn't use Justin Crawford, Aidan Miller, or Andrew Painter this summer.