The Philadelphia Phillies have reached the point where another early postseason exit cannot be brushed aside. This roster has enough talent to compete for a World Series, but after another disappointing postseason, general manager Preston Mattingly needs to make some difficult decisions to get the organization back on track.

With Don Mattingly recently signing a two-year extension as manager, the Phillies have shown they believe he can lead them to another championship. Now, his son and the front office need to provide him with the roster to make that happen. Two areas stand out as priorities this offseason: the bullpen and the corner outfield.

1. Trade For an Elite Setup Reliever

Philadelphia has one of the best closers in baseball in Jhoan Duran, but this postseason showed that even an elite closer cannot carry a bullpen by himself. Mattingly leaned on Duran for too long in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series, and the Phillies ultimately went home early. Having another dependable late-inning arm would give Philadelphia more flexibility and keep Duran fresher for the moments when the game is truly on the line.

Jose Alvarado is a free agent after a disappointing season, and bringing him back should not be a priority. Jonathan Bowlan, Brad Keller, and Alex McFarlane have potential to become quality relievers, but Philly needs to distinguish between developing middle-inning options and acquiring someone who can consistently shut down opposing lineups in high-leverage situations.

The San Diego Padres provide a blueprint. With Mason Miller closing games, Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam, and rising reliever Bradgley Rodriguez helped give San Diego the kind of bullpen depth that can change a postseason series. Morejon is approaching free agency, and if he reaches the open market, Philadelphia should be among the teams interested. Even if the Phillies cannot land Morejon specifically, they need to pursue a reliever with a similar ability to handle the toughest innings.

A dependable setup man would allow Duran to focus on the ninth inning instead of being asked to cover multiple high-pressure frames (especially in the postseason). That could go a long way toward building the kind of bullpen Philadelphia has lacked for years.

2. Trade For an Impact Corner Outfielder

The Phillies also need another dangerous bat in the outfield. Justin Crawford has star potential, and the organization sees him as a center fielder. Brandon Marsh had a strong first half before slowing down after the All-Star break, but both players can still provide significant value. Adding an established corner outfielder would give the lineup another threat without requiring Philadelphia to abandon its plans for Crawford.

The failed Adolis Garcia signing showed that adding a recognizable name does not guarantee results. A trade for an established hitter would be a more difficult undertaking, but Mattingly needs to explore the market aggressively.

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Boston Red Sox outfielders Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu are names worth monitoring. Either could provide an offensive boost. Matt Shaw is another name to watch as a potential trade-market option, even if his fit is less straightforward as a corner outfielder. Philadelphia should prioritize a proven bat who can make an immediate difference rather than settling for another uncertain experiment.

Mattingly has an unusual dynamic working with his father, but the front office's responsibility remains the same: build a roster capable of winning a championship. Don has the experience; now Preston needs to give him more talent to work with.

Honorable mention: Trade Aaron Nola

Trading Aaron Nola should at least be discussed, even if finding a deal is damn-near impossible. He has shown signs of decline while earning roughly $24 million annually for the remainder of his contract. Moving that salary could create flexibility for the Phillies' future, but his contract and performance could make a trade difficult to complete. If Philadelphia can find a team willing to take on a meaningful portion of the commitment, it would be a significant step toward reshaping the roster.