The Phillies are heading into the winter with plenty to sort out, and Brandon Marsh has become one of the biggest calls on the board.
Philadelphia still has clear needs to address, especially in the outfield and bullpen, and the front office may not have many internal fixes available. Aidan Miller stands out as a possible answer for Alec Bohm’s spot, but the bigger picture still points to outside help. The Phillies are also entering the offseason with one of the largest payrolls in baseball, so whether they spend again is part of the conversation, especially with a major labor battle looming around the sport.
Marsh, though, is the name that forces the toughest debate.
For much of the first half, he looked like a long-term piece. He played like an All-Star, and his numbers backed it up: .301/.339/.490 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI. That kind of production made him look like a fixture for the Phillies going forward.
Then the second half hit, and everything changed.
After the All-Star break, Marsh slashed 184 /.243/.259 with three home runs and 16 RBI. That drop-off was steep enough to change the way the Phillies have to view him now. He went from a bat the lineup could lean on to a player who, by the end, no longer looked like he belonged in it.
That’s why Philadelphia can’t just pencil him in as an everyday option entering the offseason, no matter how strong the first half was. His OPS was just a touch above .500 after the break, and that slump played a major role in the team’s offensive issues.
There’s also a practical roster issue here. Right field is already a winter need, and left field may need attention too. At minimum, the Phillies need some kind of platoon answer for Marsh so they can protect him from left-handed pitching.
And depending on where his arbitration number lands, the club may have to consider something even more drastic. After the way the second half unfolded, moving on from Marsh altogether would not be out of the question.
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