The Phillies’ season ended in disappointment on Wednesday night as they were eliminated by their division rivals, the Mets. It marked a second consecutive year of declining playoff results for the NL East champions, following their 2022 NL pennant win and last year’s appearance in the NLCS, now ending in the Division Series.
Matt Gelb from The Athletic suggests that the Phillies might look to strengthen their outfield this offseason, either through free agency or trades. With Bryce Harper’s move to first base, Philadelphia’s current outfield lineup includes Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas, and Nick Castellanos, which is seen as a weak spot for a contending team.
Nick Castellanos’ offensive numbers (.254/.311/.431) don’t compensate for his defensive shortcomings, while Johan Rojas, despite being a solid defender and fast runner, struggled offensively with a .243/.279/.322 batting line. Brandon Marsh was the most productive outfielder, hitting 16 home runs with a .249/.328/.419 line, though his performance against left-handed pitchers remains a concern.
The Phillies added Austin Hays at the trade deadline, hoping he could platoon with Marsh, but injuries and poor performance limited his impact. With a projected $6.4 million salary in arbitration, Hays is likely to be non-tendered. Utility player Weston Wilson might serve as Marsh’s platoon partner, but other outfield spots are still open for upgrades.
Kyle Schwarber’s presence at designated hitter limits Castellanos’ options, and with two years and $40 million left on his contract, trading him might require the Phillies to cover part of his salary. Upgrading at center field could be difficult, given the limited free-agent options, with Harrison Bader and Michael A. Taylor being the most viable choices.
Trade possibilities are also slim, with potential targets like Leody Taveras and Jose Siri offering a similar skill set to Rojas. Cody Bellinger could become an option if the Cubs decide to trade him after he opts in for his contract.
If the Phillies decide to keep Castellanos, they might consider trading either Marsh or Rojas to strengthen the outfield. Gelb mentions that Marsh’s projected $3 million salary in arbitration could make him a trade candidate, potentially allowing the Phillies to pursue a bigger name like Juan Soto, though competition for his services would be fierce. Other options could include Anthony Santander or Teoscar Hernández.
In the bullpen, the Phillies will need to address the futures of Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez, two key relievers entering free agency. Despite a rough finish in the postseason, both are expected to command multi-year contracts, possibly even four years, based on their strong performances this season.
Hoffman and Estévez have both expressed interest in returning to the Phillies, though nothing is certain yet. Major roster decisions will be on hold until the offseason officially begins, but coaching staff evaluations could happen sooner, as the team considers potential changes.
Rob Thomson, the Phillies’ manager, is under contract for next season, after signing a one-year extension last December. The Phillies will evaluate whether they need any changes on the coaching front as they head into an important offseason.
