Phillies could join $500 million sweepstakes for 'big-time' star

No matter what happens over the next few weeks in the playoffs, every Major League Baseball team will need to go back to the drawing board this winter.

Whether a team misses the playoffs or wins the World Series, every team will have work to do. The Philadelphia Phillies will be no different. There is a real chance that the Phillies could represent the National League in the World Series this fall and maybe even win it all.

While this is the case, they will need to look for ways to bolster the outfield this winter and likely will be aggressive. Philadelphia hasn't been afraid to pursue top free agents, and Bleacher Report's Erik Beaston even predicted that the club could pursue New York Yankees star Juan Soto.

"Juan Soto's first season in New York saw him compile career highs in hits (163), runs (126), home runs (41), and total bases (325)," Beaston said. "It was one of the best seasons of his seven-year career and one that will have contending teams with loads of money and a need for a right fielder looking to sign him...

"The Philadelphia Phillies are almost always players when it comes to a big-time free agent, and Soto's bat in that lineup would only further establish the (National League) East champs' offense as the most explosive in the game."

Soto is one of the biggest stars in the game, and reuniting him with Bryce Harper could take the Phillies to an even higher level. The Los Angeles Dodgers currently are one of the Phillies' biggest competitors. Landing Soto would put the Phillies ahead of them, although he will be expensive and is expected to land a deal north of $500 million.

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