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Philadelphia Phillies
Overall: 88
Title track: 32
Ownership: 70
Coaching: 78
Players: 96
Fan relations: 92
Affordability: 75
Stadium experience: 63
Bang for the buck: 118
Change from last year: +30
After four straight years of backsliding, the Phillies won 71 games and drew 1.9 million fans to Citizens Bank Park in 2016. Those numbers might not sound like much, but any step in the right direction is good news after several years of disrepair -- or at least, fans think so, based on a 30-spot jump in these rankings. This is a classic "light at the end of the tunnel'' scenario.
What's good
Besides a title track of 32 (we see you, 2008 title!), the team's best showing comes in stadium experience (63rd). Citizens Bank Park is a fun place to watch a game, and Phillies fans are passionate enough to come back in droves once the team starts winning. That might not be too far off: The front office made some tough calls by trading Jimmy Rollins, Cole Hamels and Chase Utley in 2015. This year, Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz, the final links to the team's glory days, finished their tenures in Phillies red. The Phillies have made a greater commitment to analytics, and they've done a good enough job of stockpiling young talent that their farm system ranks among the top 10 in the majors.
What's bad
The Phillies' average ticket price of $41.50 ranks fourth-highest among MLB teams, behind that of only the Red Sox, Yankees and Cubs and $15 less than the average price for the division-rival Mets. The franchise has posted a .432 aggregate win percentage the past four seasons, so it's no wonder the Phils rank 118th in bang for the buck. Although the system has plenty of depth, it remains to be seen if Maikel Franco, J.P. Crawford, Odubel Herrera, Aaron Nola and the next wave of players have the talent to get the franchise over the top. The Phillies went 11-18 in September and October under manager Pete Mackanin to squander some of the good vibes generated earlier in the season.
What's new
Despite the late swoon, Philly fanatics clearly feel better about Mackanin than they ever did Ryne Sandberg (coaching is up 44 spots to 78th from, yes, 122nd in 2015). Ownership, too, is on the rise -- up 30 spots -- and could continue to rise if the Phillies step up on the free-agent market this year. The departures of Howard and Ruiz (who made a combined $33.5 million in 2016) give president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and general manager Matt Klentak latitude to make some waves. The Phillies are likely to pursue a veteran starter and a bat this winter, though it's hard to imagine them going too crazy in a weak year for free agents.
Next: Tampa Bay Rays | Full rankings
