The Phillies made a key move this offseason by locking up J.T. Realmuto on a three-year, $45 million deal-an important step in keeping their core intact.
With Realmuto returning behind the plate, the team can breathe a little easier heading into spring training. But let’s be honest-there’s more work to be done.
After missing out on shortstop Bo Bichette, who’s headed to the Mets, the Phillies quickly pivoted back to Realmuto. It was a smart recovery move, but fans are still hungry for another big swing. And with pitchers and catchers reporting in less than a month, the clock is ticking for Dave Dombrowski and the front office to make another impact addition.
One name that should be on their radar? Cody Bellinger.
Yes, the buzz right now has Bellinger either re-signing with the Yankees or joining the star-studded Mets outfield alongside Bichette and Juan Soto. But there’s no reason the Phillies can’t throw their hat in the ring. In fact, there’s a strong case to be made that they should.
Let’s start with what Bellinger brings to the table. The former NL MVP hit 29 home runs last season with an .813 OPS over 152 games.
That’s not just solid production-it’s the kind of left-handed power that can shift the balance of a lineup. And in Philadelphia, where the offense already leans on Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber from the left side, adding Bellinger would make that middle of the order even more dangerous.
But Bellinger’s value isn’t just with the bat. Defensively, he’d be a game-changer.
Slotting him into center field would allow Brandon Marsh to move to a corner outfield spot-where he’s more comfortable and more effective. That move alone could clean up the defensive alignment and give the Phillies a more efficient outfield setup.
And let’s not overlook the ripple effect of Bichette landing in New York. The Mets just got better, and the NL East isn’t getting any easier.
If the Phillies want to keep pace-and push beyond last year’s finish-they’re going to need more than just internal improvement. They need another bat, another glove, another spark.
Bellinger checks all those boxes. He fills a positional need, adds balance to the lineup, and brings postseason experience to a team that’s been knocking on the door.
With Realmuto and Schwarber back, the core is solid. But adding Bellinger could be the move that takes the Phillies from contender to legitimate threat.
The opportunity is there. Now it’s up to the Phillies to decide how aggressive they want to be.