It took the Philadelphia Phillies a little longer than usual to a

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — rrive at a familiar spot.After leading their division with the second-best record in the National League one week into August Paul Konerko Jersey , the Phillies went 16-33 over the final 49 games and finished with a losing record (80-82) for the sixth straight season.There are several reasons for the collapse, and the Phillies will enter the offseason with plenty of questions as they try to reshape the roster into one that can contend for a full season. Philadelphia could try to land a big-name free agent like Bryce Harper or Manny Machado — or even both.“There’s been some really important answers but there’s things we have to address this offseason and future offseasons,” general manager Matt Klentak said Monday.Gabe Kapler’s first season as manager was adventurous. His unconventional approach drew a ton of scrutiny and criticism in Philadelphia, especially after the team fell apart.But Klentak is sticking by his analytics-minded manager and his new-school style.“His energy, his attitude, his work ethic and his willingness to adjust are about as good as they can be and I think we made enormous strides this year,” Klentak said. “We were projected to win 74-76 games. That team is not going to the playoffs if you play traditional baseball. When those are your expectations, that’s a good year to try things.”Kapler, who found a positive spin on everything throughout the season, is optimistic — no surprise — about 2019.“If everybody takes a small step forward in their development we’ll win a lot of baseball games,” Kapler said.Here’s some things to know about the Phillies heading into the offseason:GOT AN ACE: Right-hander Aaron Nola established himself as a legitimate No. 1 starter by having one of the best seasons in franchise history. He was 17-6 with a 2.37 ERA. His 224 strikeouts were the second-most ever by a Phillies pitcher age 25 or younger. He joined Grover Cleveland Alexander (1915) as the only Phillies pitchers to strike out 200 or more batters and hold opponents to a batting average of .200 or lower. His 0.976 WHIP was the fifth-lowest in team history.REST OF ROTATION: Right-hander Jake Arrieta (10-11, 3.96) isn’t going anywhere because of his big contract. Fellow righties Zach Eflin (11-8, 4.36), Vince Velasquez (9-12, 4.85) and Nick Pivetta (7-14, 4.77) showed flashes but lacked consistency. It’s likely at least one of the trio returns and all three could be back.CLOSING TIME: Rookie Seranthony Dominguez (2.95 ERA, 16 for 20 in save opportunities, 74 Ks in 58 innings) struggled after an outstanding start and then finished strong. Hector Neris lost his closer’s job http://www.whitesoxfanproshop.com/authentic-paul-konerko-jersey , got demoted and was excellent down the stretch. Several relievers had up-and-down seasons. The Phillies like their bullpen depth.INCONSISTENT OFFENSE: The Phillies finished last in average (.234) and were 22nd in runs. More hitters regressed as coaches emphasized launch angle instead of contact. Six players hit at least 15 homers but only two teams struck out more. Left fielder/first baseman Rhys Hoskins (.246, 34 homers, 96 RBIs) will be part of the nucleus going forward. Catcher Jorge Alfaro (.262, 10, 37) and infielder Scott Kingery (.226, 8, 35) will get another chance to prove they can be regulars. But there aren’t many other guarantees. Outfielder Odubel Herrera had a career-high in homers (22) and career-low in average (.255). Same for second baseman Cesar Hernandez (.253, 15, 60). Third baseman Maikel Franco (.270, 22, 68) and outfielder Nick Williams (.256, 17, 50) aren’t locks to be back.CHASING STARS: The Phillies will make a strong push for Harper and Machado. They spent big bucks on Arrieta ($75 million, three years), first baseman Carlos Santana ($60 million, three years) and right-handed relievers Pat Neshek (2.59 ERA, five saves) and Tommy Hunter (3.80 ERA, four saves) last offseason and got varying results. Ownership has deep pockets and a need to improve attendance. Harper or Machado or both would excite fans and significantly upgrade the lineup. ATLANTA (AP) From the perspective of manager Brian Snitker Nellie Fox Jersey , the addition of right-hander Kevin Gausman means the Atlanta Braves added help in all the right places for their push to win the NL East.Snitker applauded four trades made by general manager Alex Anthopoulos.”I feel really good,” Snitker said. ”We talked about what you would like to have, and I think he hit all the boxes. Bullpen depth, starting pitcher, maybe a bat off the bench. I think they did a great job.”The Braves acquired Gausman and veteran reliever Darren O’Day from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for four prospects Tuesday. The Braves also added outfielder Adam Duvall, acquired from the Reds late Monday, and relievers Brad Brach and Jonny Venters in the last five days.Atlanta didn’t part with any of its top prospects in the process, either.The Orioles acquired Triple-A right-hander Evan Phillips, Class A infielder Jean Carlos Encarnacion and two Double-A prospects – catcher Brett Cumberland and left-hander Bruce Zimmerman. Baltimore also received international signing bonus slot money.”We’re always reluctant to move some of our higher ranked guys,” Anthopoulos said. ”… We like the guys we lost. There are certain guys that are more high-profile. We didn’t go into the trade deadline saying we refuse to move on our top prospects. Certain guys are harder to acquire than others. For the right deal for the right player, we’re open to it.”The Braves entered Tuesday’s trade deadline a half-game behind first-place Philadelphia and five games ahead of third-place Washington in the NL East. The Phillies have also made a push, adding catcher Wilson Ramos and left-hander Aaron Loup on Tuesday after picking up infielder Asdrubal Cabrera last Friday. The Nationals traded away reliever Brandon Kintzler but otherwise stood pat at the deadline.”We were just trying to make the team better,” Anthopoulos said. ”Obviously it’s going to be a tight race in the East. Philadelphia made some nice moves. The Nats, we know how talented they are. … It’s going to be tough. We want to win the division, as all the other teams do, but even the wild card is going to be challenging.”Duvall joined the team Tuesday and has been designated for a platoon role, with most of his starts coming against left-handers. He’ll play left field, with rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. moving to center and Ender Inciarte moving to the bench against left-handers.Duvall Harold Baines Jersey , hitting .205 with 15 home runs and 61 RBIs, also gives the team a powerful pinch-hitter.Duvall said the platoon role ”doesn’t really matter to me.””I’m excited to be here,” he said. ”However they use me, I’ll go in there and do my best and hopefully win some ballgames.”O’Day had season-ending surgery on his left hamstring July 12 and was acquired to be part of Atlanta’s 2019 bullpen.Gausman, 27, was 5-8 with a 4.43 ERA in 21 games started for Baltimore. He is under team control through 2020.”Really excited to go to a team that’s playing really well right now, playing meaningful games,” Gausman said, adding he was excited about his role after talking with Anthopoulos.”I think it’s a good fit,” Gausman said. ”After talking to their GM, I think they really liked me and have some things that can help me.”This is the second deal between the teams in three days. Atlanta acquired Brach from Baltimore for an international signing slot Sunday.Gausman adds experience to a rotation that has lost rookie Mike Soroka and right-hander Brandon McCarthy to injuries.Anthopoulos said he didn’t feel he had to add a starting pitcher because he likes the depth provided by prospects, including left-hander Kolby Allard, promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett to make his debut Tuesday night against Miami.”We were just looking at the right value and the right deal,” Anthopoulos said.Allard is expected to be sent back to Gwinnett following Tuesday night’s game.—