The Philadelphia Phillies currently have the third-highest payroll in MLB, trailing only the Mets and Dodgers, with $279,332,617 committed for this season.
As a result, Dave Dombrowski’s flexibility to make major additions has been somewhat restricted. He did swing a trade for Jesús Luzardo, and smaller moves like acquiring Max Kepler and Jordan Romano could prove beneficial. However, while fans may have fantasized about landing stars like Juan Soto or Alex Bregman, those blockbuster signings were never realistic this offseason.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Phillies are set to clear around $75 million in payroll. Some of that may go toward retaining key free agents like Kyle Schwarber or J.T. Realmuto, but the team will have far more financial flexibility next winter. Given Dombrowski’s track record of bold moves, he’ll soon have the resources to make a significant splash.
A pursuit of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. seems unlikely due to positional fit, but expect Dombrowski to be aggressive in the 2026 free agent market. Several impact players could emerge as prime targets for Philadelphia.
With Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Zack Wheeler all on the wrong side of 30, the Phillies must act with urgency. Their World Series window won’t stay open forever. Here are some names to watch as potential targets for the front office.
3. Cody Bellinger can upgrade the Phillies outfield depth chart
Cody Bellinger joined the Yankees via trade this offseason and is expected to play a key role in replacing Juan Soto. His career has taken some unexpected turns—going from a major slump to becoming the heart of the Cubs, only to have a so-so 2024 campaign land him back on the trade block.
At 29, Bellinger still has plenty to offer, but his power numbers have been inconsistent, and he’s unlikely to recapture his 2019 MVP form. Realistically, he’s best viewed as a fringe All-Star or a strong everyday player rather than a franchise cornerstone.
Yankee Stadium’s hitter-friendly dimensions should help him put up solid numbers, setting the stage for a lucrative free-agent deal. The Phillies, desperate for outfield reinforcements, could be a natural fit. Nick Castellanos won’t be around forever, Max Kepler isn’t a long-term fix, and while Brandon Marsh excels against righties, he struggles mightily against lefties. Johan Rojas remains an unknown offensively.
Bellinger also has personal ties in the Phillies’ clubhouse, having played with Trea Turner in Los Angeles. Even though another left-handed slugger may not be Philadelphia’s biggest need, Bellinger’s talent alone makes him a worthwhile target.
2. Phillies can address Trea Turner’s waning defense with Bo Bichette signing
Trea Turner’s defense at shortstop is rapidly declining. While he signed with Philadelphia to play a premier position and has some leverage due to his contract, the Phillies will eventually need to consider shifting him to second base or even the outfield. That transition could be expedited through free agency, with Bo Bichette emerging as an intriguing target.
The Toronto Blue Jays are barely holding things together, and their future looks uncertain. Ross Atkins made some ambitious moves this offseason, but if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leaves in free agency, the entire structure could collapse. Bichette, meanwhile, already seems to have one foot out the door. He’s coming off his worst and most injury-plagued season yet, but it’s hard to believe a two-time AL hits leader has suddenly lost his touch. A bounce-back year in 2025 seems likely.
If Bichette returns to form, the Phillies should waste no time positioning themselves as suitors. He fits their needs perfectly—a right-handed contact hitter with excellent plate discipline. That .598 OPS from 2024 feels like an outlier, especially considering he hit .306 just a season prior and has already earned two All-Star selections before turning 27.
Signing Bichette would help extend Philadelphia’s competitive window while improving their defense at shortstop. He could also provide a reliable leadoff option if the Kyle Schwarber experiment starts to backfire.
1. Phillies should throw the kitchen sink at Kyle Tucker in free agency
The Cubs made a splash this offseason by acquiring Kyle Tucker in the biggest blockbuster trade of the winter. However, that partnership already feels temporary. Chicago and Tucker barely found common ground in arbitration, and the Cubs’ front office has a well-documented habit of pinching pennies.
Re-signing Tucker should be a priority for Chicago, but with contracts skyrocketing across MLB, it’s hard to predict just how much the 28-year-old will command in free agency. He’s among the league’s elite hitters and has valuable playoff experience from his time in Houston.
Despite injuries limiting him to just 78 games last season, Tucker still launched 23 home runs and posted 4.7 WAR—outproducing most of his peers in a shortened campaign. His offensive consistency makes him a dream target for Philadelphia, even if the lineup already features lefties like Bryce Harper and (ideally) Kyle Schwarber. Tucker excels against both left- and right-handed pitching, making him a no-brainer addition.
Beyond his bat, Tucker fills a major need in the outfield, giving the Phillies a long-term solution instead of a rotating cast of short-term fixes. A lineup featuring Turner, Harper, and Tucker at the top would give opposing pitchers headaches on a nightly basis. If Philadelphia wants to extend its championship window, Tucker should be at the top of its wishlist.
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