It’s go time for Dave Dombrowski and the entire Phillies organization.

With the 2021 season in the books, its time for Dombrowski to start to move the Phillies out of mediocrity and into the playoffs.

MLB free agency officially opens Monday with the GM meetings, which signals the start to one of the most important offseasons in Phillies history.

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The organization hasn't sniffed the playoffs since 2011.  After bottoming out, they have been stuck in neutral for the past four seasons, its time for Dombrowski to get them over the hump. He has the opportunity to create the roster that can get this team to its first playoff appearance in over 10 years and eventually back to the World Series.

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So here are 8 free agents the Phillies should have their eye on this offseason:

Christian Vazquez | C | Red Sox - The 31-year old Red Sox back-stop is a strong defensive catcher, who would be an offensive upgrade of Andrew Knapp and allow for more days off for J.T. Realmuto. He is considered on of the best framing catchers in baseball and hit .258 with six home runs 49 RBI and added eight stolen bases in 2021. He does have a $7 million club option and a $250,000 buyout.

Carlos Correa | SS | Astros - Correa is one of the top players on a crowded shortstop market, after hitting .277 with 25 homers and 91 RBI in 146 games.  He would be a great partner for Bryce Harper in the middle of the Phillies lineup. It was reported on Saturday that the Astros offered Correa a five-year, $160 million contract offer, an average of $32 million per season.

Tampa Bay Rays v Houston Astros
Carlos Correa is one of the free agent shortstops on the market (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
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Kyle Schwarber | OF | Red Sox - Schwarber had a tremendous season in Boston and Washington, hitting .266 with 32 home runs, 71 RBI in just 113 games and added three more postseason dingers. He is a big of a defensive liability, but can also play first-base if needed, and the DH is expected to be added to the National League.

Chris Taylor | UTIL | Dodgers - Taylor is exactly the type of player the Phillies could use, someone who could play all over the field and provide a solid bat. In 2021, Taylor played 2B, 3B, SS and the outfield for the Dodgers, while hitting .254 with 20 home runs, 73 RBI and 13 stolen bases.

He might have priced himself out, after a huge postseason with the Dodgers, but the Phillies should call and make him a priority.

Corey Knebel | RHP | Dodgers - Knebel was excellent for the Dodgers, and could be used in a variety of situations.  If the Phillies were to bring him here, he could close games, or be called on to pitch in high leverage situations.  The 29-year old went 4-0  with a 2.95 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and three saves in 2021.

Noah Syndergaard | RHP | Mets - Syndergaard pitched in just two innings in 2021, and had Tommy John surgery in 2019. The Philies went down this road once before, adding former Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler, and that worked out well. If Syndergaard gets back to form, the Phillies would be getting a top of the rotation arm, potentially at a discount.

Ryan Tepera | RHP | White Sox - Tepera was terrific for the White Sox, sporting a 2.79 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts in in 59 1/3 innings of work between the Cubs and Sox. He is 34-years of age, but has been a pretty consistent pitcher and would give the Phillies a reliable high-leverage bullpen option.

Andrew Chafin | LHP | A's - Another veteran bullpen option for the Phillies, who is especially tough on left-handed hitters. Chafin had a tremendous numbers, with a 1.83 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts in 68.2 innings of work with the Cubs and A's in 2021.

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