As the Phillies open camp and set their sights on another postseason run in 2026, the front office has already been active this offseason-retooling the roster and reinforcing depth across the board. But with Opening Day still weeks away, don’t assume they’re done dealing just yet.
There’s still a good chance that a few names currently in camp won’t be around when the regular season begins. Whether it’s about roster crunches, positional battles, or players simply running out of time to prove their value, the Phillies could be looking to make a few more moves before the lights come on for real.
Here are three players who could be on the move before the Phillies take the field for Game 1.
Zach Pop, RHP - Fighting for a Spot, But Time’s Running Short
The Phillies raised a few eyebrows when they signed Zach Pop to a one-year major league deal this winter. On the surface, it was a low-risk move for a bullpen arm with past upside-but make no mistake, Pop is in a make-or-break situation.
Back in 2022, Pop looked like a rising bullpen piece, posting a 2.77 ERA and a perfect 4-0 record across 35 appearances with the Marlins and Blue Jays. But since then, things have gone off the rails.
Over the last three seasons, he’s been tagged for a 6.68 ERA, allowing 51 earned runs and 17 home runs in just under 69 innings. Last season was particularly rough-he bounced between the Mariners and Mets, putting up a staggering 14.85 ERA in just five games before finishing the year in the Cubs’ minor league system.
Now 29, Pop enters spring training with no minor league options remaining. That means it’s either make the Opening Day roster or likely find a new home.
If he doesn’t show something quickly in camp, the Phillies may look to move him-possibly even for cash-rather than risk losing him for nothing. He’s got the arm talent, but the margin for error is razor-thin.
Garrett Stubbs, C - A Fan Favorite on the Bubble
Garrett Stubbs has long been a clubhouse favorite and a reliable presence behind the plate, but sentiment alone won’t secure him a roster spot in 2026. Once again, he’s locked in a spring battle with Rafael Marchán for the backup catcher role behind J.T. Realmuto-and history suggests Stubbs could be the odd man out.
Last year, Marchán won the job out of camp, and Stubbs spent most of the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. To his credit, he performed well there, hitting .265 with a .753 OPS, 45 runs, eight homers, and 50 RBIs in 71 games. That’s solid production from a backup catcher, especially one known more for his glove and game-calling than his bat.
But here’s the catch-Stubbs is out of minor league options. If he doesn’t make the big-league roster, he’ll have to clear waivers, and the Phillies likely won’t want to risk losing him for nothing.
That makes him a prime trade candidate as camp unfolds. For a team looking for a veteran backup with leadership qualities and some pop at the plate, Stubbs could be a sneaky valuable pickup.
Johan Rojas, OF - Elite Glove, But Is There Room Anymore?
Johan Rojas has been one of the more polarizing young players in the Phillies’ system over the last few seasons. There’s no question about his defensive value-he’s a plus glove in center field with the kind of range that changes games. But at the plate, the results haven’t matched the promise.
After a solid debut in 2023, Rojas has struggled to gain traction offensively. Across the last two seasons, he’s hit just .237 with a .591 OPS, four home runs, and 50 RBIs in 191 games. He’s still a threat on the bases with 37 steals, but in today’s game, teams need more offensive production from their outfielders-especially those not locked into everyday roles.
Complicating matters is the arrival of top prospect Justin Crawford, who brings a similar skill set to Rojas but with a better bat and elite speed. If Crawford breaks camp with the big club-or even if he’s just knocking on the door-Rojas becomes a redundancy. Add in the emergence of Otto Kemp and Edmundo Sosa as viable outfield options last season, and the writing may be on the wall.
Rojas still has value, particularly for teams in a rebuild or looking to add a defensive-minded center fielder with upside. A trade would give him a fresh start and allow the Phillies to recoup some value while clearing a roster spot for players with a more defined role.
Final Thoughts
The Phillies are in win-now mode, and that means tough decisions are coming. Zach Pop, Garrett Stubbs, and Johan Rojas all bring something to the table-but with roster spots at a premium and younger talent pushing from below, their futures in Philly are anything but guaranteed.
Spring training will give each of them a chance to prove they belong. But if the front office sees a better fit elsewhere-or an opportunity to gain flexibility-don’t be surprised if one or more of these names are wearing a different uniform by Opening Day.