If you’re a Phillies’ or Yankees’ fan, you can still feel the lingering effect,

When you’re shockingly eliminated in a series in which you felt your team had a good chance to advance to the next round, that feeling doesn’t go away quickly. Your frustrations certainly have boiled over a few times.

Phillies’ and Yankees’ fans may not want to hear this, but this is another version of the movie, Groundhog Day - it has the same ending again.

Since they appeared in the World Series in 2022, the Phillies have a lost in the NL championship Series, two defeats in the division series, and their latest wild card round loss.

Since 2022, the Yankees have losses in the AL championship series, the World Series, and a pair in the AL divisional series. They didn’t make the playoffs in 2023.

Both teams are following similar paths, and changes are inevitable. If they are going to do fine-tuning, they better do it soon. The collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, and a work stoppage seems inescapable. Expect the season to begin around June or possibly later.

The Yankees can use the excuse of an injured Aaron Judge, but there was other talent around. Are the Yankees having second thoughts about letting Juan Soto walk? He may have been the difference.

Aside from their postseason disappointments, both clubs are aging rapidly and with among the top five payrolls in baseball. The Phillies have next to nothing in their farm system, while the Yankees do have a small, young nucleus. Yet, the bottom line is that the Dodgers, Brewers, and arguably the Braves and Padres are better than the Phillies, and the Rays had more of a killer instinct than the Yankees. The Bronx Bombers aren’t a feared team any more.

Both teams desperately need a reliable, typical leadoff hitter. The Phillies should have tried Justin Crawford, and the Yankees need to slide Ben Rice down.

The clock is ticking in a few ways, and both teams are already doing their homework. In turn, they both have similar issues and have started to see some possible solutions to their issues.

MANAGER:

Phillies - All signs pointed to Dave Dombrowski bringing aboard buddy Alex Cora to run the Phillies next season. That was apparent when Cora turned down the job last season after Rob Thomson was let go. Former bench coach Don Mattingly, who had stints with the Dodgers and Marlins, was the logical choice to be the intermediary. Mattingly produced success that wasn’t expected, still he wasn’t going to be the skipper next season. With Cora’s recent second rejection, it seems like this will be Mattingly’s job again if he wants it. As the season went on, Mattingly appeared more comfortably with everything, and the players openly supported him.

But what happens if he walks away? Dombrowski will be under the gun to find a replacement, and he could easily turn to bench coach and ex-Iron Pigs skipper Dusty Wathan, who has been a fan favorite. Reading manager Al Pedrique is a baseball lifer, but he isn’t a candidate. Dombrowski could reach out to unemployed high-profile managers Joe Madden, Ron Washington, or Buck Showalter. I would like to see Mattingly come back, but if Dombrowski goes in another direction, he should reach out to Bruce Bochy. He is a Hall of Fame manager and also a very nice man.

Yankees - Aaron Boone likely will be back as the Yankees’ manager next season. Over the years, Boone has been in the crosshairs several times, but he and GM Brian Cashman always manage to survive. Boone is the only Yankees’ manager with the longest tenure who hasn’t won a championship. He has a 27-30 postseason record. In their final game against Tampa, Boone took Rice out of the leadoff spot and inserted Trent Grisham, who was 0-6 and 0-11 for the series. That could have been a fireable offense, even though Cashman reportedly has a hand in lineups. The prevailing feeling is that Boone should be fired just to change the pace. Boone’s and Cashman’s shelf life has expired. If Boone is fired, who would be a natural candidate? Mattingly. If Boone is fired, does he end up in Philly where his father, Bob, was a legendary catcher? Nah. Surprisingly, there is growing speculation that Cora would be interested in the Yankees’ job.

MIDDLE INFIELD:

Phillies - There’s plenty to unpack here. When the Phillies acquired Luis Arraez, Trea Turner was asked to move to center field, but he declined. Speaking of Arraez, early indications have the Phils declining to re-sign him, as Arraez should command in the range of $20 million. Then there’s the state of Alec Bohm, who is likely to test the free agent market. Throw in top prospect Aidan Miller, who is off to a great start in the Arizona Fall League, where he has played third base and designated hitter. Bryson Stott could be back at second base, but he has been the subject of trade rumors.

Bryce Harper probably will be back at first base, but again, it will depend upon how the dominos fall with everybody else. It’s quite evident that the Phils want Miller to land a spot somewhere, but they also should consider keeping Bohm. Free-agent and ex-Yankee Gleyber Torres might be an appealing choice to provide more punch. They should consider bringing back Arraez and have him hit leadoff to solve a lingering problem.

Yankees - Jazz Chisholm Jr. may have played himself out of New York, but some see him as a possible solution at third base. Ryan McMahon has a year left on his deal, but he could be jettisoned. Andrew Volpe showed enough in his return from the minors to get a legitimate shot at second or possibly third. If not Volpe, why not Arraez? The Yankees desperately need a leadoff hitter with some consistent punch, so they can slide Ben Rice down in the lineup. Like for the Phillies, Arraez is a perfect solution at the top. The Yankees reportedly have interest in Miami second baseman Xaiver Edwards, who hit .280 with six homers and 21 stolen bases. George Lombard will be a fixture at short.

OUTFIELD:

Phillies - If the Phillies can convince Turner to play centerfield during spring training, they can move Crawford to either left or right, and have Brandon Marsh play the other spot. Sounds fairly simple, right? Well, it depends how the infield shakes out. Should the infield work out, Tuner-Crawford-Marsh would be a suitable outfield arrangement. There isn’t anyone in the farm system, and the free-agent market is thin. Randy Arozarena, Seiya Suzuki, and Taylor Ward are the most attractive pickups if Dombrowski is free-agent shopping. George Springer is a big bat, but he is 37. A leadoff and center field solution? As in the past few years, Cleveland’s Steven Kwan again should be heavily considered.

Yankees: There is less confusion here, especially with Judge returning in right field. Spencer Jones has found a home, and the question is whether to play him in center or right. Grisham is gone, and Jones can take over in center with Cody Bellinger in left. The Yanks may reach out to bring back ex-Phil Harrison Bader as an insurance policy in center. Bader had a bad offensive year in San Francisco last year, and his $10 million deal was voided due to his skateboarding accident, which shut him down in the second half of the season. Judge will be 35 in April, and it is time to part ways with Giancarlo Stanton. Jasson Dominguez may get another shot, but he is likely trade bait. Kwan would solve the leadoff issue here.