The Phillies entered the offseason with a clear identity: a veteran core, a hefty payroll, and a front office that wasn’t looking to make splashy changes. And true to form, they’ve stayed the course.
After a 2025 campaign that ended in disappointment-thanks in part to some untimely fluke plays in their playoff loss to the Dodgers-Philadelphia’s brass, led by president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, gave every indication that they’d run it back with largely the same group. That’s exactly what they’ve done.
Offseason Grade: A Familiar Feeling
According to MLB insider Jim Bowden, the Phillies’ offseason earned a C+ grade-and it’s hard to argue with that. It wasn’t disastrous, but it wasn’t inspiring either.
The team took care of business by re-signing two of their key free agents: Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto.
Both were expected moves, both necessary. But they also lost lefty Ranger Suárez to the Red Sox on a five-year deal-a blow to the depth and stability of a rotation that now faces more questions than answers.
The Phillies were reportedly in the mix for Bo Bichette, but their longstanding policy of avoiding player opt-outs, combined with limited payroll flexibility, ultimately kept them out of serious contention. That’s the kind of deal that could’ve elevated their offseason from steady to standout. Instead, it’s more of the same-a team banking on continuity and internal growth rather than outside reinforcements.
Outfield Still a Question Mark
One area where fans were hoping for more movement was the outfield. It’s been a soft spot in recent seasons, and while the team did add Adolis García on a one-year, $10 million deal to play right field, that’s more of a short-term patch than a long-term fix. García brings some pop and energy, but he’s also streaky and doesn’t solve the center field conundrum.
That job, at least for now, looks like it could go to top prospect Justin Crawford. The Phillies are high on the young outfielder, and there’s real optimism that he could seize the role out of camp.
But that’s a big ask for a rookie, especially on a team with postseason expectations. If Crawford struggles, the outfield depth becomes a real concern.
Is the Core Getting Stale?
Bowden raises a tough but fair question: Has Philadelphia held onto this core for too long? Since their surprise run to the World Series in 2022, the Phillies have fallen short of that level, even in seasons where they entered as contenders. The roster is aging, and while the names are familiar-Harper, Schwarber, Realmuto, Nola-the window doesn’t stay open forever.
The front office is betting that this group still has another deep run in them, but the margin for error is shrinking. And with the Braves still a juggernaut and the Mets retooling, the NL East won’t offer much breathing room.
Rotation Concerns Could Define the Season
The biggest variable heading into 2026? The starting rotation. It’s a group that could either stabilize or sink the season early.
Zack Wheeler is the ace when healthy, but that’s a big “if.” He’s coming off surgery for venous thoracic outlet syndrome, and his status for Opening Day is up in the air.
Even if he’s ready, it may take time to get back to the form that made him one of the league’s most reliable starters. He turns 36 in May, and the Phillies can’t afford for him to be anything less than a frontline arm.
Then there’s Andrew Painter. The top prospect returned to the mound last season after Tommy John surgery but had a bumpy ride in the minors: a 5-8 record, 5.26 ERA, and 1.49 WHIP in 26 starts.
The stuff is there, and the potential is undeniable, but the Phillies are counting on him to fill the void left by Suárez. That’s a lot to ask of a 22-year-old with no MLB experience, especially in the middle of a rotation that needs stability.
Aaron Nola is another question mark. He’s coming off an uncharacteristically rough, injury-riddled 2025.
While he’s not expected to be a Cy Young contender, the Phillies need him to pitch like a dependable No. 2.
That didn’t happen last year. If he can bounce back, it would go a long way toward easing the pressure on the rest of the staff.
Behind them, Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo are solid, but asking them to carry the rotation early could be a stretch. Nola’s history of slow starts only adds to the unease. If Wheeler’s not ready and Painter isn’t ready, this rotation could be in survival mode out of the gate.
Outlook: A Familiar Path, but a Narrower Road
The Phillies didn’t overhaul the roster. They didn’t make the big splash.
Instead, they doubled down on the group they believe in. That’s a gamble-especially in a division as competitive as the NL East.
There’s still a lot of talent here, and if the rotation holds together, the offense should be good enough to keep them in the hunt. But the concerns are real, and the margin for error is thinner than it’s been in years.
The Phillies are betting on continuity. Whether that bet pays off will depend on health, bounce-backs, and whether a few young players can rise to the occasion.
For now, it’s steady-but not spectacular. And in a league that’s constantly evolving, standing still can feel a lot like falling behind.