The Phillies may have missed out on Bo Bichette, but Dave Dombrowski didn’t waste any time pivoting. Instead of landing the star shortstop, Philadelphia’s president of baseball operations locked up one of the team’s foundational pieces, re-signing catcher J.T.
Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million deal. It wasn’t the splash fans were hoping for, but it was a necessary move to keep the core intact.
Still, there’s work to be done.
With the 2026 season fast approaching, the Phillies have their stars in place - Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Realmuto are all back. But this team has learned the hard way that depth can make or break a postseason run. And with Ranger Suárez heading to Boston and Matt Strahm traded to Kansas City, the pitching staff could use some reinforcements.
Dombrowski won’t be chasing big-ticket free agents, but that doesn’t mean he’s out of options. In fact, the Phillies might be best served by looking to the past - specifically, at a few familiar faces who could offer valuable depth and versatility. Here are three former Phillies pitchers who could make sense as insurance options heading into 2026.
Kolby Allard (LHP): A New Look Lefty
Kolby Allard’s first run with the Phillies in 2024 didn’t exactly turn heads, but don’t let that fool you - the left-hander has quietly reinvented himself. After a stint with the Guardians in 2025, Allard emerged as a reliable bullpen option, putting up a 2.63 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 65 innings, including two spot starts.
What stands out most? He kept the ball in the yard - just five home runs allowed all season - and posted career-best numbers in both walk rate (5.3%) and average exit velocity (87.2 mph). That’s the kind of profile that plays well in a hitter-friendly park like Citizens Bank Park.
With Strahm out and the Phillies needing a lefty who can handle multiple roles, Allard checks a lot of boxes. He’s still just 28, has starting experience, and could serve as a swingman - a valuable asset with Zack Wheeler working his way back from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery and top prospect Andrew Painter still finding his footing. Allard may not be a headline-grabber, but he’s the kind of depth piece that can quietly stabilize a staff over a long season.
Lou Trivino (RHP): Veteran Stability
Lou Trivino’s 2025 season was a bit of a rollercoaster - released by the Dodgers in July, signed to a minor league deal by the Phillies in August, and then called up for the final month of the season. But when he got his shot, he delivered.
In 10 appearances with Philadelphia, Trivino allowed just two earned runs over nine innings, good for a 2.00 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. He struck out eight, walked five, and gave the Phillies a steady veteran presence out of the ‘pen. Surprisingly, he didn’t make the postseason roster, but that shouldn’t overshadow what he brought to the table down the stretch.
Trivino, now 34, has a track record of success from his time with the A’s and Yankees. He’s not the same overpowering arm he once was, but he knows how to pitch, and that kind of experience can be invaluable in a bullpen that’s still looking for consistency. If the Phillies bring him back on another low-risk deal, they could end up with a reliable middle-inning option who knows the league and knows how to compete.
Seranthony Domínguez (RHP): A Familiar Face with Postseason Pedigree
Seranthony Domínguez’s first stint in Philly had its ups and downs, but there’s no denying his raw stuff or his ability to rise in big moments. And after a bounce-back 2025 season split between Baltimore and Toronto, Domínguez is once again looking like a difference-maker.
He posted a 3.16 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP over 67 appearances, striking out 79 along the way. Most importantly, he cleaned up one of his biggest issues - the long ball - allowing just five home runs in over 62 innings. That’s a huge development for a pitcher who’s always had electric stuff but sometimes struggled with command in high-leverage spots.
The Phillies’ bullpen ranked near the bottom of the league in strikeouts last season - an area where Domínguez could provide an instant boost. He’s also got a winning pedigree, having made the postseason every year since 2022, including a key role in the Blue Jays’ run to the World Series. Bringing him back wouldn’t just be a move for depth - it’d be a reunion with a proven playoff performer who knows what it takes to win in October.
The Bottom Line
The Phillies aren’t in overhaul mode - they’re in fine-tuning mode. The stars are in place, the lineup is dangerous, and the rotation still has frontline talent. But if Dombrowski wants to give this team its best shot at another deep run, he’ll need to shore up the pitching staff with smart, flexible depth.
Allard, Trivino, and Domínguez may not be the flashiest names on the market, but they’re all familiar with the Philly clubhouse, and each brings a unique skill set that could help stabilize the roster over 162 games - and beyond. In a season where margins will be thin and expectations high, those kinds of moves can make all the difference.