The Phillies won their division again in 1978, only to fall to the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series for a second year in a row. Believing that his team was one piece away from being a World Series team, Phillies GM Paul Owens heavily pursued Cincinnati Reds free agent Pete Rose, with the intention of converting him into a first baseman. When Rose signed a four-year deal with the club on December 5, Hebner became trade bait for a much needed starting pitcher.