The Philadelphia Phillies didn’t truly seem in on the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes despite some links and rumors that they potentially had interest in adding the game’s best player. Much of the dwindling connections before the superstar signed his megadeal with the Los Angeles Dodgers probably had a lot to do with their current payroll that is projected to be the second-highest in the MLB heading into the 2024 season. Next year alone the Phillies are paying seven players over $20 million and starting pitcher Taijuan Walker will receive $18 million. The majority of those contracts are also on the books for upcoming seasons and they likely will work with Zack Wheeler to get him extended before he hits free agency. So, while it would have been nice to have Ohtani, Philadelphia still has plenty of expensive star power on this roster. With the high payroll they already are carrying, it’s been surprising to see Bryce Harper continued to be brought up as an extension candidate throughout this offseason.
