The Phillies are heading into an offseason that feels like it needs more than one answer. They reached the postseason in 2026, only to fall in the Wild Card round, and the push for a first World Series title since 2008 is running up against a roster that is getting older and closer to change. That makes free agency a real pressure point for Philadelphia.
There are obvious holes to fill. The rotation, led by Cristopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler, could use one more dependable starter.
The bullpen needs another arm or two. And with Alec Bohm and Luis Arraez both now free agents, the infield picture is unsettled.
Adding another outfielder would also make sense. In short, the Phillies are solid almost everywhere, but nowhere does the roster feel fully finished.
That’s why a few names stand out as players Philadelphia should at least be weighing closely this winter.
Freddy Peralta is one of the most intriguing pitching options on the board. A Tarik Skubal pursuit would come with a huge price tag, and that could crowd out other moves. Peralta offers a different kind of appeal: impact without the kind of contract that could swallow the rest of the Phillies’ plans.
His 2026 season had two very different chapters. He struggled with the New York Mets in the first half, then got traded to the Tampa Bay Rays before the August deadline and completely flipped the script.
The 30-year-old finished with a 3.25 ERA in Tampa Bay after posting a 4.99 ERA with New York. For a team looking to make the rotation feel rock solid, Peralta fits the bill.
The bullpen is another area where Philadelphia could use help, especially from the left side. Sean Newcomb put together a strong season with the Chicago White Sox in 2026, and while Adrian Morejon is expected to draw the most attention among left-handed relievers in free agency, Newcomb shouldn’t be lost in the shuffle.
He worked to a 3.09 ERA across 60 appearances in the regular season, then followed that with a 2.57 ERA in four playoff outings. For a Phillies relief group that needs another quality lefty, that kind of production would matter.
Eugenio Suarez is a trickier fit, but he brings something Philadelphia needs: right-handed power. The concern is obvious.
In 2026 with the Cincinnati Reds, he played only 50 games at third base and 75 at designated hitter. That matters because Kyle Schwarber already occupies the DH spot in Philadelphia.
Still, the bat is hard to ignore. The Phillies’ top hitters are left-handed - Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh - and Suarez would balance the lineup.
Even in a season that was up and down, he hit .212 with a .740 OPS and still launched 26 home runs. The year before, he hit 49.
The defensive fit would need sorting out, but there are ways to make it work. If Philadelphia doesn’t want him at third every day, he could get time at first base when Harper needs a break.
Harper could also move to the outfield. Suarez has only a handful of games at first in his career, but that’s a path the Phillies could explore in spring training.
He also has a mutual option with the Reds, though those deals are rarely picked up by both sides.
Seiya Suzuki is another bat that could help solve more than one problem. The Phillies need an outfielder, and Suzuki would bring right-handed pop to the lineup. The 32-year-old hit .270 with an .841 OPS for the Chicago Cubs this past season, adding 26 home runs and 31 doubles.
He also gives Philadelphia some flexibility in the outfield. Suzuki has played all three spots in his big league career, though he has only one game in center field.
He’s primarily a corner outfielder and has spent most of his time in right. With the Phillies still trying to piece together the right mix around their core, that kind of fit has real appeal.
In Other News...
Phillies Rumor Could Be About More Than Adding Another Starter
Free agency opens Nov. 2, and the Phillies are already being linked to one of the more intriguing arms on the market in right-hander Freddy Peralta. His name makes sense on the surface for a club trying to sort through payroll questions and the uncertainty that comes with the next round of CBA talks, but the fit may go beyond simply plugging another starter into the rotation. Peraltas rise after being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays only adds to the appeal, especially for a team that values flexibility.
For Philadelphia, a move like this could ripple beyond the mound. A starter of Peraltas caliber would not only deepen the rotation, it could also give the front office more room to maneuver if it decides to reshuffle the roster elsewhere. In a winter where every financial decision may carry extra weight, the Phillies appear to be looking at ways to strengthen the club without boxing themselves into one path. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Shortstop Pressure Just Put A Massive Name In Play
The Phillies head into the offseason with an uncomfortable question at shortstop, and it is one they cannot really ignore after the way Trea Turner finished. His defensive struggles and offensive decline have put his hold on the everyday job under real scrutiny, which is why the front office is expected to at least look outside the organization before settling on a plan for next year.
One of the names that naturally comes up in that kind of search is Corey Seager, a player with the kind of offensive and defensive track record that would immediately change the conversation in Philadelphia. The fit is not simple, though, because any pursuit would have to account for his injury history and the size of his contract, making this less about a clean upgrade and more about whether the Phillies are willing to chase a big swing at a premium position. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Just Created A Quiet Infield Twist For The Offseason
The Phillies spent a quiet stretch of the roster calendar adding some infield depth, claiming Brett Harris and Shay Whitcomb off waivers from the Giants. It is the kind of move that can look minor on paper but matters in the margins, especially for a club trying to keep options open as the offseason takes shape. At the same time, catcher Garrett Stubbs and infielder Alec Bohm elected free agency, a reminder that the roster churn around this point of the year can move quickly.
Philadelphia also reinstated several players from the 60-day injured list to the 40-man roster, including Flix Reyes, Brad Keller, Caleb Kilian and Johan Rojas. Those transactions do not settle the bigger questions facing the club, but they do sharpen the picture of how the Phillies are managing depth and flexibility heading into the winter. The infield, in particular, now has a slightly different look than it did a day ago, and there may be more movement still to come. [Read more 🡒]