In the Phillies\u2019 case, they could view an especially large bill in 2026 as a necessary cost of doing business. They know $38 million is committed to Nick Castellanos and Taijuan Walker \u2014 two players who are expected to have reduced or no roles on the 2026 Phillies \u2014 which will be off the books for 2027.<\/p>\n
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\n Backed by principal owner John Middleton, the Phillies had the fourth highest player payroll this year. (Eric Hartline \/ Imagn Images)<\/p>\n
Can the Phillies realistically take on salary beyond Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto to land a prized free-agent bat, while also making some trades and bringing up some of their top prospects to refresh the lineup and get younger? Any indication that they are going to truly spend the resources and money to retool and keep the core but make some significant lineup changes? \u2014 Andrew H.<\/b><\/p>\n
My hunch is the final 2025 tally represented the Phillies being at or near their maximum payroll. And, well, it was fourth in MLB this past season. The Dodgers, Mets and Yankees were higher. The Phillies have attempted to spend their way out of various problems \u2014 the largest being the lack of a consistent pipeline from the minors \u2014 and I am not sure how much higher it can go.<\/p>\n
So, as far as them landing a \u201cprized free-agent bat\u201d in addition to re-signing Schwarber and Realmuto \u2026 that is unlikely. Kyle Tucker sounds like a backup plan in the event Schwarber does not return. Even then, if he commands a $400 million deal, the Phillies might not have the fortitude.<\/p>\n
Now, all of this said, the Phillies have resources that can be used better. Not counting Schwarber and Realmuto, they have almost $40 million in departing free agents. They dedicated $22.5 million to Max Kepler, Jordan Romano and Joe Ross last offseason, and that was not money well spent.<\/p>\n
They can spend it smarter. It would surprise me if they do not trade someone from their big-league roster. But it\u2019s hard to argue the Phillies have not truly spent the resources (prospects) and money to retool. Do they even need to retool? I don\u2019t know.<\/p>\n
Can you shut down these ridiculous Bryce Harper trade rumors? Is there any reason to think they are more than just baseless rumors? \u2014 <\/b>Brendan B.<\/b><\/p>\n
Stop listening to Philadelphia sports-talk radio.<\/p>\n
Will the Phillies finally be able to add a right-handed bat to protect Harper? Who would be a likely reasonable solution? It\u2019s been a problem for years, and it\u2019s not Alec Bohm, Castellanos or Realmuto. \u2014 Patchen F.<\/b><\/p>\n
The easiest place for the Phillies to do this would be in one of the corner outfield spots. Here are the best righty-hitting outfielders who will be free agents, listed in descending order by their 2025 fWAR: Miguel Andujar, Rob Refsnyder, Starling Marte, Ahmed Rosario, Tommy Pham and Austin Slater.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not what you want.<\/p>\n
The top six outfield free agents \u2014 Tucker, Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, Ryan O\u2019Hearn, Mike Yastrzemski and Cedric Mullins \u2014 all bat left-handed.<\/p>\n
If the Phillies find a middle-of-the-order right-handed hitter who plays the outfield, it will have to be through a trade. Also, a tall task.<\/p>\n
How big of a role does Otto Kemp play next year? \u2014 Jeff C.<\/b><\/p>\n
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\n Some in the Phillies organization believe Otto Kemp has untapped upside. (Mitchell Leff \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n
It\u2019s difficult to imagine the Phillies operating this offseason as though Kemp can be a productive, everyday player for them. His future role might be more of what he did in 2025 \u2014 start against lefties, fill in when needed on the corners. He was a replacement-level player as a rookie.<\/p>\n
But some within the organization believe Kemp is an outlier, someone without pedigree (he was undrafted<\/a>) who has untapped upside. Maybe that\u2019s true; Kemp played a significant portion of 2025 with a fractured kneecap and an ailing shoulder. He hits the ball hard. He excelled at every level in the minors. Even if the Phillies were higher on Kemp than the rest of the industry, his lengthy injury history has to be a consideration. That alone might prevent him from being a regular.<\/p>\n He\u2019s an interesting player. The Phillies have indicated they want to see more of Kemp because of that. Squint and maybe he\u2019s \u2026 Davis Schneider?<\/p>\n Would it be unreasonable to say that the trade deadline was a huge missed opportunity to upgrade Weston Wilson\u2019s spot on the postseason roster? I imagine the front office could\u2019ve flipped a mid-level prospect for a righty corner outfielder who could hit better than Wilson (at the very least). Are there any targets for this spot who we should keep an eye on this offseason? \u2014 Declan M.<\/b><\/p>\n It\u2019s not unreasonable; it should serve as a guide for this offseason. If the Phillies can move Brandon Marsh off center field and commit to him in one of the outfield corners, then it should be a priority to devote real attention (and resources) to acquiring a suitable platoon partner. Marsh is an imperfect player, but he would be most productive if deployed as the strong side of a corner outfield platoon. The perception of Marsh is worse than the reality because the Phillies have failed to find the right platoon partner. He\u2019s shared time with Johan Rojas, Austin Hays and Wilson, among others, over the past few seasons.<\/p>\n All of this would be easier if Marsh were slotted in one of the corners; finding a complementary right-handed bat to platoon with him is easier there than in center field. The issue is \u2026<\/p>\n Is there any consideration being given to having Justin Crawford learn on the fly in center field, or are the Phillies resigned to having him in left field? His lack of power makes him a less-than-ideal fit at a corner outfield spot unless they somehow find a center fielder with power. \u2014 Peter L.<\/b><\/p>\n That is a consideration, yes, and how comfortable the Phillies are with that idea could shape how they approach the outfield situation this offseason. There are mixed opinions \u2014 both inside and outside the organization \u2014 on Crawford\u2019s defense in center. Everyone agrees it\u2019s still raw. Crawford has significant upside there. And, in the modern game, teams are bringing players to the majors with much developing still to be done. So it would not be outlandish for the Phillies to acknowledge Crawford is an unfinished product in center, then hand him the majority of innings there.<\/p>\n But what happens if it doesn\u2019t work? It\u2019s easier to continue a player\u2019s development in the majors when a team does not have championship aspirations. This is tricky because, as you noted, Crawford\u2019s best fit is in center. That would allow the Phillies to pursue a little more power in traditional power spots \u2014 the corner outfield.<\/p>\n Are the Phillies considering Gage Wood as a starter or reliever? If the latter, is there a chance he is a fast riser and a late 2026 option? \u2014 Anonymous U.<\/b><\/p>\n \n The Phillies consider Gage Wood, their first-round pick this year, a starter \u2014 for now. (Wesley Hitt \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n Starter. But he could factor into the 2026 second-half plans as either a starter or a reliever if the need arises. Or if Wood pitches his way into the picture. He turns 22 in December. The priority in 2026 will be building his innings; Wood pitched only 40 2\/3 innings between college and pro ball in 2025. He was a reliever for much of his career at Arkansas<\/a>.<\/p>\n All of that said, he could move fast.<\/p>\n Who are some bullpen arms they\u2019ll look to add this offseason? I think they need to add about two more leverage arms to the bullpen for next year if Jhoan Duran, Jos\u00e9 Alvarado, Matt Strahm, and Orion Kerkering are returning. \u2014 Bobby G.<\/b><\/p>\n Add Tanner Banks to that list, and now you have five \u201cleverage\u201d guys. Do they move one of those pitchers and add a free agent to find a different mix? Every team will try to buy low on Devin Williams and Ryan Helsley; both of them should have better opportunities to pitch in the ninth inning than with Philadelphia.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2218173314-scaled.jpg\")
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