The Philadelphia Phillies’ pitchers and catchers are set to report to Clearwater, Florida, on February 12 for the start of spring training, with the first full-squad workout scheduled for February 17. While the roster is largely complete, the team may look to bolster its depth in two key areas.
Adding a reliever and an outfielder would benefit the Phillies before spring training begins. There are still several free-agent options available at both positions, which the team could sign to affordable one-year contracts or bring in on spring training invites.
Last season, the Phillies’ outfielders struggled offensively, with inconsistent production across the board. Nick Castellanos was the only outfielder who consistently looked like an everyday player, leaving the position group in need of reinforcement.
The bullpen had a solid regular season, especially after President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski acquired Carlos Estévez at the trade deadline to fill the closer role, which had been a weakness in the first half. However, late-inning reliever José Alvarado faltered during the second half, which impacted the bullpen’s reliability.
The bullpen’s issues were magnified during the NLDS against the New York Mets, where a collective collapse contributed significantly to the Phillies’ series loss. The relievers posted an 11.37 ERA over four games, one of the highest in postseason history. They allowed 16 earned runs in just 12 2/3 innings, with seven walks and four home runs, including Francisco Lindor’s series-clinching grand slam in Game 4. While the bullpen was generally dependable during the regular season—ranking 14th in team ERA, 10th in bullpen FIP, and sixth in FanGraphs’ WAR—the postseason performance underscored the need for additional depth and stability.
4 good free agent fits for Phillies who are somehow still available
The Phillies need to shift their focus to 2025 and, more importantly, improve their performance during the latter part of the regular season. Building momentum heading into the playoffs is crucial, as demonstrated in 2022, when they finished strong, secured a postseason spot, and went on to win their first National League pennant since 2009.
In contrast, last season’s struggles during the summer and down the stretch raised concerns about their playoff readiness. Their inconsistent play in the final three months cast doubt on their ability to defeat the Mets in the postseason. While the 2025 roster appears largely set, the Phillies would still benefit from bolstering their outfield and bullpen by signing an additional free agent.
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