It hasn’t been the offseason Philadelphia Phillies fans were expecting. Enthusiasts were hopeful for significant moves to rejuvenate an offense, which faltered during the playoffs, where the team only managed to score 12 runs against the New York Mets during their four-game NLDS loss. With this backdrop, the Phillies chose to sit out the sweepstakes for standout outfielders like Juan Soto and opted not to pursue All-Stars Anthony Santander or Alex Bregman.
While the Phillies did sign left-handed outfielder Max Kepler to their roster, the reception was lukewarm among fans. Kepler's performance last season included slashing .253/.302/.380, registering just eight home runs over 105 games, which marked him as below-average with a 91 OPS+. This isn’t the kind of impact the fans anxiously awaited. It seems the Phillies are banking on their existing stars—Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and J.T. Realmuto—to carry the team back to playoff form and hopefully to their first World Series title since 2008.
With spring training just over a month away, insiders suggest the team may be on the lookout for the right addition to amplify their roster, but current expectations are tempered. Phillies president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, commented on the situation: “I don’t want to say it’s a tight payroll. From an ownership perspective, I don’t think I’ve ever gone to [owner] John [Middleton] on anything and him say, ‘No, don’t do something.’” This is particularly relevant as the Phillies hover around the second-highest projected payroll for 2025, at approximately $307.6 million, exceeding the highest tax threshold and incurring hefty penalties for overages.
Certain insiders like MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki are still optimistic, hinting at possible free-agent additions like veteran corner outfielder Mark Canha. Canha has shown reliability throughout his career with 120 home runs and boasts a 113 OPS+. His signing could present the Phillies with depth options on their bench, competing for spots against Weston Wilson, Buddy Kennedy, and Kody Clemens.
Meanwhile, the team’s roster is gradually taking shape, with players poised for significant contributions. Ownership challenges and the potential for roster cuts mean internal competition is heating up. For players like Clemens, who struggled with OPS+ around 70 last season, it remains to be seen how things play out. Clemens has improved over the last three years, but his future appears precarious as he has no remaining minor league options.
Insiders like Matt Gelb of The Athletic speculate on the potential of trading Clemens before the season if he performs well during spring training. Clemens has captured the fans’ hearts with his productivity, and losing him could be tough, as the Phillies have wisely cultivated his abilities, hoping he becomes more than just a bench option.
Philadelphia’s current strategy revolves around the balance of maintaining talent without incurring immense penalties. With the offseason approaching its peak, fans continue to watch closely to see how the team will finalize its roster and potentially strengthen its outfield for the coming season.