The Phillies are staring at a winter full of choices, and not many of them are simple. Seven players officially became free agents the morning after the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series: Alec Bohm, Luis Arraez, Adolis Garcia, Edmundo Sosa, Nestor Cortes, Jose Alvarado and Brooks Raley.
Most of those names probably won’t be back in Philadelphia. The roster needs work, and keeping everyone around simply doesn’t make sense. On top of that, some of the veterans who hit free agency didn’t exactly make their case with strong play, which only makes a return less likely.
But if there’s one player the Phillies should make a priority, it’s Sosa.
There’s an argument to be made for Bohm or Arraez. Bohm can drive in runs, and that matters for a lineup that already needs more right-handed production. Arraez, meanwhile, changed the tone of the offense with a contact-heavy approach that kept the ball moving.
Still, both come with a catch: fit. Aidan Miller is working his way through the minor leagues, and if Trea Turner can handle shortstop, the infield picture gets crowded fast once Bryce Harper moves back to first base.
Sosa gives the Phillies something different. He can play all over the infield, and he can handle the outfield too. That kind of defensive flexibility is exactly why he stands out from the rest of the group.
He backed that up over the season with a Total Defensive Runs Saved of +2, showing he could stay at least league-average whether he was in the dirt or in the grass.
EDMUNDO SOSA GRAND SLAM!THIS GAME IS BONKERS! pic.twitter.com/I0XkVi2bTQ
He also brings something less visible but just as valuable: credibility in the clubhouse. That kind of thing builds over time, and with the uncertainty hanging over the offseason - including the looming lockout - familiarity matters even more heading into 2027.
Trying to replace that kind of player is a much bigger headache than filling one corner-infield spot or one second-base job, especially in a market that isn’t loaded at the top. There are still quality options at second base if the Phillies decide not to keep Bryson Stott there and need him somewhere else.
With so much still unsettled in Philadelphia, bringing back someone who can patch multiple holes at once makes a lot of sense. Sosa may be too stretched as an every-day answer, but as a reliable piece who can step in just about anywhere, he’s exactly the kind of luxury the Phillies should want.
In Other News...
Phillies Make A Catcher Change That Puts Realmuto In Focus
The Phillies are making a familiar kind of roster move behind the plate, parting with Garrett Stubbs after a five-year run that made him a steady presence in the clubhouse and a trusted backup when called upon. His designation for assignment clears room on the depth chart and nudges the conversation back to the position Philadelphia has spent plenty of time managing carefully in recent seasons.
J.T. Realmuto remains the primary catcher, with Rafael Marchn now in reserve, but the bigger question is whether the Phillies are done there. The front office has been weighing ways to lighten Realmutos workload, and moving on from Stubbs only sharpens the focus on whether a more impactful upgrade is still to come. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Fans May Hate What It Takes To Land Steven Kwan
The Phillies outfield has been a lingering talking point, and Steven Kwan is the kind of name that naturally jumps out in any conversation about fixing it. The Guardians outfielder would give Philadelphia a different look and address a need with a player whose value is built on steady production and a profile that fits a contender trying to tighten up the margins.
What makes the idea harder to swallow is the cost. A suggested framework would send Brandon Marsh, reliever Orion Kerkering and prospect Tyler Spangler to Cleveland, with a reliever such as Tim Herrin possibly heading back to Philadelphia, and that kind of swap asks the Phillies to give up both present help and future depth. It is still just a speculative trade scenario, but it shows how expensive it could be for Philadelphia to chase a player like Kwan if the Guardians ever decided to listen. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Still Have One Rotation Problem They Cannot Ignore
The Phillies may already know what their 2027 rotation is supposed to look like, with Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Andrew Painter projected to anchor it. On paper, that group gives Philadelphia the kind of top-end starting pitching most clubs would envy, and it reflects how much talent the organization has lined up for the near future.
Even with that core in place, the front office knows the rotation still needs help behind the headline names. Injuries have forced the Phillies to lean on outside veteran additions in recent seasons, and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the club plans to add more starting pitching depth this offseason. That remains the quiet issue Philadelphia cannot simply pencil away, even with its long-term rotation taking shape. [Read more 🡒]