With $279,332,617 in salary this season, the Philadelphia Phillies are now third in MLB after the Mets and Dodgers.
It makes sense that this has restricted Dave Dombrowski’s capacity or desire to design a visually striking addition. He made a deal for Jesus Luzardo, and little improvements like Jordan Romano and Max Kepler ought to pay off. However, those high-profile additions were never feasible, even if rumors of Juan Soto and Alex Bregman were circulating among the supporters. Not this winter.
However, the Phillies will have around $75 million in cash on hand in 2026. While some of that could go toward re-signing important free agents like J.T. Realmuto or Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia will have a lot more money to spend in the upcoming offseason. Dombrowski’s penchant for huge, daring movements is well known. He will soon have the funds necessary to make it happen.
For positional considerations above all things, we can probably rule out the Phillies for a player like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Don’t be surprised, though, if Dombrowski makes a strong showing in the 2026 free agent class. There are several talents that have the potential to change the game and should be considered by Philadelphia.
The window for the World Series won’t be open indefinitely. Trea Turner, Zack Wheeler, and Bryce Harper are all now well over thirty. The Phillies must move with the proper level of haste. The following names are worth keeping an eye on as possible front office targets for Philadelphia.
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3. The Phillies’ outfield depth chart can be improved by Cody Bellinger.
This winter, Cody Bellinger was traded to the New York Yankees. He is expected to be crucial in covering Juan Soto’s absence. Bellinger’s career path has been an odd one, moving from all-time stinker to the Cubs’ heart and soul before a mediocre 2024 campaign placed him back on the firing line.
Bellinger is undoubtedly gifted, and he still has a lot of energy left in him at the age of 29. Nevertheless, Bellinger’s slugging stats have changed recently, and it’s unlikely that he will ever again achieve the MVP levels he did in 2019. Instead of being seen as an organization-defining talent, he is better considered as a high-level starter or fringe All-Star.
The hitter-friendly environment at Yankee Stadium should help Bellinger, which will open up opportunities for him to make money as a free agent. Outfield bats are desperately needed by the Phillies. Max Kepler isn’t a long-term option, and Nick Castellanos won’t be around for very long, especially not at his present level. Brandon Marsh excels at hitting right-handed pitchers, but he is useless when hitting lefties. On both sides of the plate, Johan Rojas remains blank.
In the Phillies locker room, Bellinger has personal ties. In the past, he and Trea Turner were teammates in Los Angeles. Even though the Phillies don’t really need another left-handed slugger, this is a rather clear target for them. Bellinger’s talent level alone makes him worth the effort.
2. By adding Bo Bichette, the Phillies can improve Trea Turner’s declining defense.
Shortstop Trea Turner’s defense is rapidly deteriorating. Although his contract offers him some control over the issue and he signed with Philadelphia to play a premium position, Philadelphia will ultimately need to think about moving Turner to the outfield or second base. Bo Bichette stands out as a possible target in free agency, where that possibility may present itself.
Right now, Elmer’s glue and prayers are keeping the Toronto Blue Jays together. Ross Atkins made some bold acquisitions this winter, but if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leaves in the upcoming summer, it won’t matter. Bichette is already on the verge of leaving. It’s hard to envision the two-time AL hits leader suddenly losing, even if he just finished his poorest (and least healthiest) year to date. By the 2025 season, Bichette is expected to recover and see a significant increase in value.
The Phillies should start circling like vultures as soon as Bichette returns to his usual level of output. On paper, Bichette is just what Philadelphia needs: a right-handed powerhouse who excels at singles and doubles and has amazing plate discipline. That 2024 OPS of.598 seems like a dream. Before turning 27, Bichette was a two-time All-Star and had a.306 batting average the season before last.
If the Kyle Schwarber experience goes astray, Bichette would provide the Phillies a fresh potential leadoff hitter in addition to extending their competitive timeline and providing them with a more reliable defensive presence at shortstop.
1. In free agency, the Phillies ought to dump Kyle Tucker.
Kyle Tucker was acquired by the Chicago Cubs in the offseason’s most significant blockbuster transaction. But after just one season, their partnership seems certain to fail. The Cubs’ executive office loves nothing more than reminding the fans of how inexpensive it is, and Chicago and Tucker could hardly agree on compensation conditions outside of arbitration.
Resigning Tucker is an obvious choice for the Cubs, but with contract numbers skyrocketing around the game, it is difficult to place a cap on what the 28-year-old may make in a cutthroat market. He has competing experience from his time in Houston, making him one of the finest batters in baseball.
In just 78 games last season, Tucker hit 23 home runs and recorded 4.7 WAR. He produced more than most of his colleagues, even in a campaign cut short by injuries. In a lineup that already has Bryce Harper and (hopefully) Kyle Schwarber at the top, Tucker would be another lefty in Philadelphia, but so what? The Phillies would be thrilled to have a legitimate superstar in his late 20s to prolong their competitive window, and Tucker can rake southpaws just as readily as he rakes righties.
Tucker’s attention to a critical outfield requirement is beneficial. For at least the next five or more years, he can end the ongoing hand-wringing over Philadelphia’s outfield depth. Almost always, starting games with a mix of Turner, Harper, and Tucker would immediately disadvantage opponents.
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