Why Phillies' Core is Still Elite Despite Impending Key Free Agents This Winter

As the Philadelphia Phillies start their weekend series against the Miami Marlins, the team has a massive series looming against the New York Mets to start next week. 

Ideally, the Phillies will be able to create some more distance between themselves and the Mets in the National League East before their four-game series starting next week. Philadelphia has struggled a bit against the Mets, and a bad series could make things a lot more interesting. 

While winning the division is the immediate goal for the Phillies, they are certainly hoping to accomplish a lot more than just that. This is a team that has been one of the best in the NL and will be looking to sustain that going forward. 

Fortunately, there are still a lot of good things in place for the team despite some stars getting older. Furthermore, Philadelphia also has the financial capabilities to make a splash in free agency if need be. However, despite some changes likely coming, the core of the Phillies still looks to be in strong shape for the next couple of years. 

Kiley McDaniel of ESPN recently wrote about the core of the Phillies still being one of the best in baseball despite some impending free agents and some players getting older. 

Will the Core Remain Elite?