Six Former Phillies Still Searching for a Team as Spring Training Nears
With spring training just around the corner, the Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up for another run at October. The core is intact - Kyle Schwarber, J.T.
Realmuto, and the rest of the usual suspects are back in the clubhouse, joined by key additions like Adolis García and Brad Keller. The mission is clear: get back to the World Series and finish the job.
But while the Phillies are looking ahead, several familiar faces from past seasons are still stuck in limbo. Some were key contributors during their time in Philly, others had short-lived stints, but all share one thing in common right now - they’re still unsigned as camps prepare to open.
Let’s take a look at six former Phillies who are still on the market and hoping for another shot in 2026.
Spencer Turnbull, RHP
Turnbull was a revelation for the Phillies in 2024, stepping in when the rotation needed him most and delivering a rock-solid 2.65 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 17 appearances, including seven impressive starts. That run made him a fan favorite and a reliable depth piece.
But 2025 was a different story.
Turnbull bounced around between three organizations - the Blue Jays, Cubs, and Royals - and spent most of the season in the minors. When he did get a shot in the majors with Toronto, it didn’t go well: three games, 6 1/3 innings, five earned runs, 12 hits, and a sky-high 7.11 ERA.
Now 33, Turnbull is hoping that teams remember what he did in 2024 more than what happened last year. For clubs looking to shore up their rotation depth, he’s a name worth watching.
Joe Ross, RHP
Ross came into 2025 looking to reestablish himself after a solid showing with Milwaukee the year before. The Phillies gave him a shot on a one-year deal, but the results just weren’t there.
In 37 appearances, Ross posted a 5.12 ERA and 1.47 WHIP, giving up 29 earned runs and eight homers across 51 innings. His strikeout numbers (39) didn’t do much to offset the damage. By late August, the Phillies had seen enough and released him.
He finished the year in Triple-A with the Cubs' affiliate in Iowa, but didn’t make it back to the big leagues. Still, his 2024 form with the Brewers - where he was a steady contributor - could earn him another look from a team in need of bullpen or swingman depth.
Max Kepler, OF
Kepler was brought in to help solidify the Phillies’ outfield in 2025, but things didn’t quite go according to plan.
While the veteran outfielder did flash some pop - 18 home runs and 52 RBIs in 127 games - his overall production left a lot to be desired. A .216 batting average and .691 OPS, combined with a career-high 10 double plays grounded into, made it tough for him to stay in the lineup consistently.
The Phillies opted not to bring him back, and his offseason took a turn for the worse when he was handed an 80-game suspension for PED use. That cloud now hangs over his free agency, and it’s going to be a steep uphill climb to find a new home before Opening Day.
Walker Buehler, RHP
Once one of the most electric arms in baseball, Buehler’s 2025 season was a rollercoaster.
Between Boston and Philadelphia, the former All-Star posted a 4.93 ERA and 1.52 WHIP over 126 innings, with 92 strikeouts. Not terrible, but far from the dominant form that made him a household name with the Dodgers.
That said, Phillies fans saw a glimpse of vintage Buehler late in the year. In three appearances, he went 3-0 with a microscopic 0.66 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, striking out eight over 13 2/3 innings. It was a flash of what he can still be when everything clicks.
Despite that strong finish, Buehler didn’t crack the Phillies’ postseason roster and entered free agency. At 31, he’s not done yet - and for a team willing to bet on a bounce-back, the upside is still there.
Andrew McCutchen, OF
McCutchen’s days as a dynamic five-tool player are long gone, but the 39-year-old has managed to stay productive into the twilight of his career.
In 2025, he returned to where it all began in Pittsburgh and put together a solid season: .239 average, .700 OPS, 13 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 22 doubles in 135 games. He spent most of his time as a designated hitter, with limited outfield action.
Now entering his 18th big league season, McCutchen is chasing the one thing missing from his résumé - a World Series ring. Whether a contender gives him that chance remains to be seen, but the veteran still brings leadership, experience, and a bat that can contribute in the right role.
Rhys Hoskins, 1B
Hoskins was a fan favorite in Philadelphia - the kind of player who embodied the city’s grit and passion. But since leaving after the 2023-24 offseason, things haven’t quite clicked.
In two seasons with the Brewers, Hoskins’ numbers dipped. He hit just .223 with a .732 OPS, well below his career .820 mark.
Strikeouts became a bigger issue, with his K-rate climbing to nearly 28 percent. Still, he launched 38 home runs and drove in 125 runs over 221 games - not nothing.
The Brewers declined their mutual option with him, sending the 32-year-old slugger back into the free agent pool. For teams in need of a right-handed power bat, Hoskins still has value - but he’ll need to prove he can rediscover the consistency he had in Philly.
Final Word
Baseball’s a game of second chances - and sometimes third or fourth. These six former Phillies are all at different points in their careers, but each one has shown, at some point, they can contribute at the major league level.
With spring training fast approaching, the clock is ticking. Don’t be surprised if one or more of these names pops up on a roster in the coming weeks.