Phillies likely regret lineup decision that has been a problem for years

TL;DR

The Philadelphia Phillies are facing issues this season due to their failure to add a significant bat to the lineup, particularly in the cleanup spot. Despite key roster moves, this long-standing problem remains unresolved.

Phillies likely regret lineup decision that has been a problem for years originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia Phillies made a few roster moves this offseason, and important ones at that. Kyle Schwarber's coming back was incredibly important, as was the addition of Brad Keller to the bullpen and the re-signing of J.T. Realmuto.

However, there is one move that the Phillies didn't make that is already coming back to haunt them this season. It's been a problem for years now, and it's still not resolved.

That issue, as Zachary Rotman of Fansided.com noted, is the lack of a big-bat added to the lineup, specifically in the cleanup spot. They have Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Schwarber, but this lineup is sorely missing another big bat, and it's still an issue this year.

Phillies might already regret lack of big-bat upgrade

"Instead, Dombrowski signed Adolis Garcia, coming off two straight down years, to a one-year prove-it deal to replace Nick Castellanos in right field, and promoted Justin Crawford to the majors. That's it," Rotman writes. "Re-signing Kyle Schwarber was a big deal, but there wasn't a single major addition to this lineup."

The Phillies have some solid players in the lineup outside of the trio atop the order, but there is a massive issue bridging the gap between those top three hitters and the rest of the lineup.

Alec Bohm has been a letdown this season, and he's been moved all the way down to the eighth spot in the lineup amid his struggles.

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Brandon Marsh has gotten some run at cleanup during the Arizona Diamondbacks series, but that won't last. Garcia is destined for the cleanup spot, as he's their only option left they've yet to try.

He has some good power and hasn't been terrible this season. But, considering how big an issue this has been, the Phillies' not addressing it this offseason is turning out to be a major regret through the first few weeks of the season.

Philadelphia desperately needs to find another big-bat for the lineup, and while Garcia might turn things around and be such a hitter, it's far from a guarantee that such a thing happens.