The Philadelphia Phillies are working tirelessly to turn their season around after a brutal start to the season. Under new leadership, the Phils went into the All-Star Break above .500 at 49-43. They've managed to shift the momentum in their favor despite missing key pieces like Jean Segura and MVP Bryce Harper.

However, none of this is too impressive to Jonathan Papelbon. The former Phillies pitcher expressed his disinterest in the team, which stems from his time in Philadelphia from 2012 to 2015.

“Their pitching is okay, their bullpen is okay,” Papelbon said in an interview with Betway Insider. “But in order to be a good team and have a good postseason run, you have to have leadership. I don't think the Phillies have any of that.”

I know what you're thinking. How does the team have no leadership when Bryce Harper just won MVP last season? Well, according to Papelbon, Harper isn't too impressive either.

“I don't necessarily see him being a huge leader of the team, because he was never really a leader when I played with him. He kind of went about his own business and more was a me-guy or an I-guy, and wasn't really into what was happening in the clubhouse, and didn't have that pull for the team.”

Related NewsArticle continues below
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) talks with Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park.
Phillies’ Zack Wheeler comes to teammate’s rescue after security mixup
3 players Philadelphia Phillies fans are already fed up with in 2025
3 players Philadelphia Phillies fans are already fed up with in 2025
May 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) circles the bases on a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
MLB rumors: Phillies, Yankees, Dodgers named as Cubs’ biggest Kyle Tucker competition

Harper and Papelbon played a season and a half together on the Washington Nationals from 2015 to 2016, after the pitcher's bout with the Phillies.

As for the future of the Phillies, Papelbon doesn't see this team going anywhere.

“It's always been kind of chaotic in Philadelphia, with the fans, with the players, with the front office. It's like a sh*tshow there. And, for me, I see the sh*tshow continuing. I mean, they fired their manager, what, two months into the season? As long as that stuff happens, Philadelphia will never win again. Philadelphia will never get back to the playoffs.”

The Phils went on an eight-game winning streak after firing Girardi, allowing them to break out of being seven games below .500. Now in a Wild Card position, the Phils have a great chance of breaking their decade-long playoff drought.