The Philadelphia Phillies are making moves this offseason, and they’re doing it with purpose. Re-signing Kyle Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million deal is a clear signal: this team believes its championship window is wide open, and it’s not backing down from the challenge.
Schwarber’s return is huge. He was nearly in MVP territory last season, and his presence in the lineup continues to be a game-changer. His bat brings power, his leadership brings edge, and his postseason experience is exactly what a contending team needs in the heart of the order.
But the Phillies didn’t stop there. They also added some thump and versatility to the outfield by signing Adolis García to a one-year, $10 million deal.
García, who’s coming off strong stints with the Cardinals and Rangers, gives manager Rob Thomson another dynamic option in the outfield. He’s a high-energy player with pop in his bat and the kind of athleticism that can shift the momentum of a game in one swing or one sprint to the gap.
Still, not everything is locked in just yet. The Phillies have yet to come to terms with three key players from last year’s roster: Ranger Suárez, J.T.
Realmuto, and Harrison Bader. All three played important roles in 2025, and their futures in Philadelphia remain uncertain.
The outfield picture is particularly interesting. With García now in the mix, the Phillies could be forced to make a tough decision-especially when it comes to Bader. According to reports, if Philadelphia is able to bring back Realmuto, that could push Bader out of the equation.
Bader, acquired midseason from the Twins, carved out a valuable role last year as a late-game defensive specialist. He’s no stranger to that responsibility-he won a Gold Glove back in 2021 with the Cardinals, and his instincts in the outfield are elite. He’s the kind of player who can change the end of a game with a single read off the bat.
But it wasn’t just his glove that stood out. Bader also flashed more power than we’ve seen from him in the past, launching a career-high 17 home runs between Minnesota and Philly. That added pop made him more than just a defensive replacement-it made him a legitimate bench weapon.
If the Phillies can’t bring Bader back, the likely outcome would see Brandon Marsh taking over center field duties, with García sliding into right. That alignment would still give Philadelphia a strong defensive outfield, but it would lose a bit of late-inning flexibility. Bader’s ability to lock down the outfield in crunch time is a luxury not many teams have.
So while the Phillies have already made some big moves, there are still a few dominoes left to fall. Re-signing Realmuto would be a major win, but it might come at the cost of Bader’s glove and clubhouse presence. And as any contender knows, depth matters-especially in October.