The Philadelphia Phillies are walking a tightrope this offseason - trying to evolve without overhauling, and it’s left fans wondering: is this just a remix of last year’s roster?
Manager Rob Thomson doesn’t think so. In fact, he’s made it clear he’s not buying into the “running it back” narrative. During a recent interview, Thomson pointed to a handful of roster changes - some subtle, others more significant - that he believes mark a real shift heading into 2026.
“We got three new relievers, a new right fielder, Crawford’s gonna have every chance to play, probably got a rookie starting pitcher, we got Otto Kemp who wasn’t here at the start of last year,” Thomson said. “So we’re turning over 20 to 25 percent of our roster.
If you think that’s running it back... I don’t know what to tell you.”
So let’s break that down.
Yes, the Phillies brought back some familiar faces - Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto are staying in red pinstripes - but they’ve also said goodbye to key pieces.
Matt Strahm, one of the bullpen’s most reliable arms over the past few seasons, was dealt away. And perhaps more notably, Bo Bichette is now a Met, a move that not only stings from a roster-building standpoint but also in the NL East rivalry department.
In right field, Adolis García is the new face, with Nick Castellanos expected to be on the move - either via trade or outright release. García brings pop, no doubt, but his recent performance has been inconsistent. The Phillies are banking on a rebound here, which is always a gamble.
Then there’s Justin Crawford, who’s expected to take over in center field. He’s an exciting prospect with elite speed and defensive upside, but he’s also unproven at the MLB level.
The same goes for top pitching prospect Andrew Painter, who could make his long-awaited debut this season. If he hits the ground running, the Phillies have a potential ace in the making.
If not, well, the learning curve can be steep for rookie arms.
Otto Kemp is another name to watch - he’ll likely platoon in left field with Brandon Marsh. Kemp wasn’t part of the team out of the gate last season, but he did get some run later on. He’s a solid depth piece, but probably not a game-changer.
The bullpen has seen some turnover, too. The Phillies added three new relievers, headlined by Brad Keller, who brings starting experience and bullpen versatility.
But again, it’s not all upside. Keller and the other new arms are replacing Strahm, who was not only effective but also a clubhouse presence.
That’s not an easy void to fill.
And then there’s Alec Bohm. Many fans were hoping the Phillies would move on from the third baseman this winter, especially after missing out on Bichette.
But with no major addition at the hot corner, Bohm looks locked in as the starter once again. That decision - or lack thereof - is a sticking point for fans who were hoping for more aggressive upgrades.
So, are the Phillies truly running it back? Not exactly.
There are new names, new roles, and a noticeable youth movement. But the core remains largely intact, and the changes that have been made come with question marks - not guarantees.
This team still has the bones of a contender. The lineup can mash, the rotation has upside, and if the bullpen gels, they’ll be in the thick of the playoff hunt. But it’s fair to say the offseason hasn’t delivered the kind of transformative moves that push a good team into great territory.
Thomson’s right to defend the changes - they’re real. But whether they’re enough to take the next step? That’s the part we’ll have to wait and see.