The Philadelphia Phillies may have avoided losing 100 games this season, but they still finished with the worst record in baseball at 63-99, one game worse than the Cincinnati Reds.
After trading away most of their remaining proven talent (read: Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon, Chase Utley, et al) prior to the trade deadline -- despite the arrival of new president Andy MacPhail and GM Matt Klentak -- things aren't looking much better for 2016 ... at least according to Las Vegas oddsmakers.
Per two popular sports books, the Phillies' odds to win the 2016 World Series are twice as long as the next closest team, the Rockies. However, they differ in just how unlikely they think the Phillies are to win. The good news, aside from there being nowhere to go but up, is the fact other NL East teams, the Braves (67-95 in 2015) and the Marlins (71-91), aren't that far behind. However, the Mets and Nationals are among the favorites to win next season's Fall Classic.
The two books, Bovada and the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, also differ on who they think is the favorite for next season, although both like a National League team to come out on top. Bovada likes the Chicago Cubs, while Westgate like the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Here's a look at Bovada's odds for the 2016 World Series, where the Phillies are a 200-1 long shot:
1. Chicago Cubs: 11/1
2. Kansas City Royals: 12/1
2. Los Angeles Dodgers: 12/1
2. New York Mets: 12/1
2. St. Louis Cardinals: 12/1
2. Toronto Blue Jays: 12/1
2. Washington Nationals: 12/1
8. Houston Astros: 14/1
8. Pittsburgh Pirates: 14/1
8. Texas Rangers: 14/1
11. New York Yankees: 18/1
12. Boston Red Sox: 20/1
12. Cleveland Indians: 20/1
12. Detroit Tigers: 20/1
12. Los Angeles Angels: 20/1
12. San Francisco Giants: 20/1
17. Seattle Mariners: 25/1
18. Tampa Bay Rays: 33/1
19. Baltimore Orioles: 40/1
19. Minnesota Twins: 40/1
21. Arizona Diamondbacks: 50/1
22. Chicago White Sox: 50/1
22. Cincinnati Reds: 50/1
22. Miami Marlins: 50/1
22. Milwaukee Brewers: 50/1
22. Oakland Athletics: 50/1
22. San Diego Padres: 50/1
28. Atlanta Braves: 100/1
28. Colorado Rockies: 100/1
30. Philadelphia Phillies: 200/1
And according to ESPN.com, the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook has the Phillies at 300-1 to win it all next year. Here's a look at their top five teams, as well as their bottom five. You'll find all five NL East teams in one of those two categories...
1. Los Angeles Dodgers: 8/1
2. New York Mets: 10/1
3. Toronto Blue Jays: 10/1
4. Chicago Cubs: 10/1
5. Washington Nationals: 10/1
- - - - -
22. Reds, A's, Padres, D'Backs, Brewers: 60/1
22. Miami Marlins: 60/1
28. Atlanta Braves: 100/1
29. Colorado Rockies: 150/1
30. Philadelphia Phillies: 300/1
Just remember: There's nowhere to go but up...
Follow Matt on Twitter: @matt_mullin