The third World Series trophy for the Philadelphia Phillies franchise has been a little more elusive than the previous two. They’ve scratched and clawed to get to the postseason each of the last four years, increasing their win total with each passing season.

Philadelphia is one of the biggest sports markets in the country. That doesn’t guarantee them anything, but it does create a passionate fan base willing to question the team’s desire to win a championship year after year.

It’s hard to win baseball games in the regular season, let alone in postseason contention. Phillies fans may be frustrated with the recent outcomes, but you can’t assume the front office isn’t giving it all they have to put the best team on the field.

Phillies are spending their money the right way despite not being able to win a third World Series

The Phillies front office has committed to winning but just hasn’t gotten them over the finish line. To that point, the Phillies spent the second-highest percentage of their revenue on their roster, with 63 percent going toward the 2025 payroll.

Just look at how they’ve spent their revenue from the 2024 season compared to other teams around MLB. It’s a testament to managing partner John Middleton’s desire to win and the rest of the organization.

Here are the top five teams ranked by the percentage of 2024 revenue spent on their 2025 payroll:

Mets: 76%Phillies: 63%Padres: 61%Blue Jays: 60%Diamondbacks: 58%

Percentage of 2024 Revenue Spent on 2025 Payroll

76% NYM
63% PHI
61% SDP
60% TOR
58% ARZ
54% TEX
50% ATL
49% HOU
48% COL & DET
46% BAL & LAD
45% WAS, SEA & MIL
44% LAA & MIN
43% CLE
42% STL & CIN
41% CHC, SFG & BOS
40% TAM
39% KCR & NYY
36% CHW
32% PIT
29% OAK
28% MIA

— Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) December 11, 2025

Business is business, even with the game of baseball. Ownership groups can spend money or not, it just depends on their circumstances.

The Phillies have been anything but shy when it comes to spending to win. They pushed through the luxury tax threshold for the first time in 2022 and have been over it every year since. They’ve gone out and spent a combined $630 million between Bryce Harper and Trea Turner and every following offseason they’ve had a chance to land another big free agent.

So far this offseason, they’ve re-signed Kyle Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million contract, inked Adolis García to a one-year, $10 million deal, and added Brad Keller for two years and $22 million. They’re speculating that the payroll will be around what they spent last season, just North of around $300 million.

The fans have a right to be upset having to have the same conversation every offseason of whether the current Phillies’ roster will finally be good enough to win it all. The Phillies won 96 games in 2025, but had to take on the red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers, losing in four games in the NLDS.

They’ll head into 2026 with the same hunger and dedication they’ve had every year to win at the highest level. Middleton is a fan of the Phillies and wants to win. He wants to see them succeed and to put a third World Series trophy in the Phillies clubhouse, and one thing you can definitely say he’s doing is putting his money where his mouth is.