The Phillies are heading into the offseason with a clear mandate: get better, and do it fast. After another shortened postseason run ended with a Wild Card Round loss to the Atlanta Braves a few weeks ago, Philadelphia is expected to be aggressive as it tries to maximize what remains of this core’s window.
A lot of the attention has centered on the lineup, and that makes sense. The offense lagged in 2026, with catcher, left field, third base and shortstop ranking as the club’s least productive spots by wRC+. The Phillies are already being connected to outside help in free agency, with Randy Arozarena, Seiya Suzuki and Teruaki Sato among the names linked to them.
But the trade market could be just as important, and the Houston Astros look like the cleanest match.
Houston went back to the playoffs in 2026, but the season still ended at 81-81. The organization has already started making changes, parting ways with general manager Dana Brown in August and moving on from manager Joe Espada after the season.
That kind of shakeup could open the door for Philadelphia to check on two players who fit obvious needs: shortstop Jeremy Pena and third baseman Isaac Paredes.
Neither would come cheap. Both are under control for one more year before reaching free agency, which raises the price. Still, that’s exactly the sort of move the Phillies should at least explore, especially with Aidan Miller and Bryan Rincon moving through the minor league system.
The infield picture is unsettled. Alec Bohm, Luis Arraez and Edmundo Sosa are all free agents, so the Phillies need answers if those three walk. At the same time, they have to be careful not to hand out long-term money that could block the younger players coming up behind them.
That’s where a one-year bridge makes sense.
Pena would give Philadelphia a short-term fix at shortstop and a bat that has started to trend in the right direction. Over the last two seasons, he has begun to unlock more of his offensive game. His 24% strikeout rate was the second worst of his career, but the 124 OPS+ would play well near the top of the order.
He’d also bring a defensive upgrade over Trea Turner, who could wind up in the outfield if he can’t straighten things out on the dirt. Pena didn’t have his strongest year with the glove, but he has been a steady defender before.
Paredes brings a different kind of fit. If Bohm departs, the Phillies would be looking for a right-handed bat with some punch, and Paredes checks that box. The two-time All-Star has hit at least 19 home runs in five straight seasons and posted an OPS+ of at least 112 in each of those years.
He also does the little things at the plate. Paredes draws walks, avoids strikeouts better than most power hitters and has put real work into his defense. In 2026, he even spent time at second base and first base along with third, giving him more versatility than he had shown in a few years.
In Other News...
Phillies Mourn The Loss Of A Beloved Franchise Figure
The Phillies lost one of the most recognizable names from a golden era when Bob Boone died at 78, a development first announced by his son, Bret Boone. Boone spent 10 seasons in Philadelphia, where he became a four-time All-Star, won seven Gold Gloves and helped anchor the clubs 1980 World Series championship team, leaving behind a legacy that stretched well beyond his years behind the plate.
For Phillies fans, Boones place in the franchise story was never just about awards or longevity. He was part of a title team that still carries special weight in Philadelphia, and his baseball life continued long after his playing days ended, with major league managing and coaching duties that included a stint running the Cincinnati Reds. The full impact of his career is hard to separate from the era he helped define, and his death closes another chapter on that teams history. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Just Added To A Roster Battle Fans Will Watch Closely
The Phillies have added another name to the mix behind the plate, agreeing to a minor league deal with catcher Brian Navarreto and bringing him to major league spring training. It is the kind of low-risk move that fits the clubs broader effort to shore up catching depth while easing the workload on J.T. Realmuto, who has carried a heavy share of the position for years.
Navarreto brings some big league experience from his time with the Miami Marlins, and his presence gives Philadelphia another option to sort through in camp. He is expected to begin the season at Triple-A, which makes him a flexible piece in the organization, but the real interest is whether he can push himself into the conversation for a more meaningful role if the Phillies decide their backup catching picture still needs more clarity. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Trade Urgency Now Centers On One Tough Prospect Decision
Dave Dombrowski is again headed into an offseason where the Phillies are expected to be active, and one of the clearest ways to add help may be from within their own prospect depth. Philadelphia has a surplus of shortstop talent, with Aidan Miller, Bryan Rincon and Tyler Spangler all sitting in the mix as possible trade chips, giving the front office a path to address the major league roster without having to lean solely on outside free-agent options.
The hard part is deciding which direction makes the most sense for a club trying to win now without emptying the cupboard. Miller brings the most attention but also some health questions, while the long-term defensive outlook for both Miller and Spangler adds another layer to the evaluation. For a Phillies front office that has to balance present-day urgency with future value, this is the kind of call that can shape more than one season. [Read more 🡒]