The Philadelphia Phillies are making waves this offseason, and the City of Brotherly Love is buzzing with anticipation, skepticism, and a healthy dose of hope. With the 2026 MLB campaign looming, the Phillies’ front office is hard at work reshaping a roster that has fallen just short of a World Series title in recent seasons. The stakes? Nothing less than a championship for a team that’s won 95 or more games in back-to-back years but remains haunted by October heartbreak.
In a flurry of moves and rumors, the Phillies’ outfield is getting a new look, their pitching staff boasts a rising ace, and the infield could be on the verge of a seismic shift. Let’s dig into the facts, the speculation, and what it all means for Philadelphia’s quest to finally get over the hump.
First up, the outfield. With veterans Harrison Bader and Max Kepler hitting free agency and Nick Castellanos all but certain to depart, fans expected the Phillies to chase a big name like Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger. Instead, the front office surprised many by signing Adolis Garcia to a one-year deal. Garcia, fresh off a rollercoaster stint with the Texas Rangers, joins Brandon Marsh and—here’s the headline—21-year-old Justin Crawford as the projected starting trio for 2026.
Who is Justin Crawford, and why is his name suddenly on everyone’s lips? Crawford, the Phillies’ No. 3 prospect and a former first-round pick, tore up Triple-A last season, slashing .334/.411/.452 with 23 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, 47 RBIs, and an eye-popping 46 stolen bases. He posted an .863 OPS with Lehigh Valley and, according to Phillies president Dave Dombrowski, could have played in the majors last season if not for the late addition of Bader at the trade deadline. "I really believe that he could have played for us last year at some point," Dombrowski said this month at the Winter Meetings.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson echoed the sentiment, emphasizing patience and a hands-off approach as Crawford adjusts to big-league pitching. "I always think when you bring a young guy up, close your eyes and let them play," Thomson remarked. "No matter what happens, he gets two, three months, whatever time limit you want to give him, and don't even talk. Just let him go." The plan? Bat Crawford ninth, let him learn on the job, and hope his talent shines through—even if he gets off to a slow start.
But not everyone is convinced Crawford is the answer. Some scouts question whether his tendency to hit ground balls will translate against major-league arms. Others believe he’s better suited for left field than center. And with only 19 home runs in 1,459 minor-league plate appearances, there’s concern his lack of power could be a problem—especially since Marsh isn’t a big long-ball threat and Garcia remains a wild card. Still, with the Phillies needing to replace a whopping 62.7% of their outfield plate appearances from 2025, Crawford’s opportunity is now. He’s expected to be in the Opening Day lineup on March 26, facing the Texas Rangers at Citizens Bank Park.
Financial constraints may also be shaping the Phillies’ strategy. After inking 32-year-old slugger Kyle Schwarber to a $150 million contract extension and shelling out $56 million in luxury tax penalties, the front office might be hesitant to splurge on another marquee outfielder. Instead, they’re banking on youth, speed, and the hope that Crawford’s energy can rejuvenate the club.
While the outfield is in flux, the Phillies’ rotation features a new ace-in-the-making: left-hander Jesús Luzardo. Acquired in a December 2024 trade with the Miami Marlins (alongside catcher Paul McIntosh, in exchange for prospects Starlyn Caba and Emaarion Boyd), Luzardo delivered a breakout campaign in 2025. He tied a career high with 32 starts, set new marks with 183 2/3 innings and 216 strikeouts, and posted a 15-7 record with a 3.92 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. His 10.58 K/9 rate and 2.79 BB/9 underscored his dominance, and he dazzled with seven double-digit strikeout games—including 11 in his Phillies debut and 12 in an August start.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Luzardo struggled with pitch-tipping and pitching from the stretch in late spring, surrendering 12 runs to the Brewers and eight to the Blue Jays in consecutive starts. But he rebounded, and if you toss out those two rough outings, he pitched to a sparkling 3.03 ERA over 178 innings. In the postseason, Luzardo shined: he allowed just two runs on three hits in six-plus innings in Game 2 of the NLDS, then came out of the bullpen in extras in Game 4 to record five outs—including a strikeout of Shohei Ohtani. The only cloud? Luzardo is under contract through 2026 and projected to make $10.4 million in arbitration before hitting free agency. The hope in Philly is that the front office will lock him up long-term, cementing his place atop the rotation.
Meanwhile, the Phillies’ infield could be on the verge of a dramatic overhaul. After re-signing MVP candidate Schwarber, the team’s attention shifted to free agent catcher JT Realmuto. Nearly 35 and showing signs of decline, Realmuto’s future in Philadelphia is up in the air. If he doesn’t return, the Phillies could pursue a younger catcher via trade or free agency, with Victor Caratini the top remaining option on the open market. But the real bombshell? Rumors swirling around Bo Bichette, the two-time All-Star and Toronto Blue Jays standout. Bichette, who hit .348 with a home run and six RBIs in the 2025 World Series, would bring elite contact skills, infield defense, and right-handed pop to a lineup that’s struggled to protect Bryce Harper and Schwarber from the right side. If acquired, Bichette would likely slot in at second or third base, potentially pushing Alec Bohm out via trade.
Adding Bichette would give the Phillies a top four of Trea Turner, Bichette, Harper, and Schwarber—one of the most feared quartets in baseball. Adolis Garcia would follow, with Justin Crawford likely batting ninth and manning center field. The left field spot could be a platoon between Marsh and a right-handed bat like Otto Kemp or a yet-to-be-named free agent. It’s a lineup designed to challenge even the best pitching staffs in a seven-game series, and it might be just what the Phillies need to finally break through in October.
As the offseason continues, one thing is clear: the Phillies are not standing pat. Whether it’s trusting a dynamic rookie, betting on a rising ace, or swinging for the fences with a blockbuster infield addition, Philadelphia is all in for 2026. The fans are restless, the window is narrowing, and the pressure is on. Will these bold moves be enough to deliver a long-awaited championship? The pieces are falling into place, but only time—and a grueling season—will tell if this is the year the Phillies’ gamble pays off.
