Phillies offseason targets 2025: Greatest wants, most closely fits as quest for World Collection title continues

The 2024 season marked the third straight playoff yr for the Philadelphia Phillies, but it surely was a bit completely different than the earlier two. As an alternative of being a wild-card crew that squeaked in with no hefty win whole within the common season, these Phillies obtained extremely sizzling in the midst of April and stormed out to a 10-game lead by June 11. As an alternative of ending sturdy, they went 33-34 after July 13. And, in much more a research in distinction, as a substitute of advancing a number of playoff rounds (they went to the World Collection in 2022; NLCS in 2023), the Phillies received only one playoff recreation and have been bounced within the NLDS after their bye. They have been the one one of many 4 bye groups to lose within the division sequence this yr. 

The job is not completed for this group of Phillies till they hoist a World Collection championship trophy. We all know that they’ve the suitable proprietor in place and a bunch of gamers that has already gotten them very shut. How will Dave Dombrowski and his reshaped entrance workplace proceed this offseason? Let’s have a look. 

Key free brokers

• RP Jeff Hoffman
• RP Carlos Estévez
• SP/RP Spencer Turnbull

The excellent news for the Phillies is just about everyone seems to be again. They might want to deal with the bullpen, as Hoffman and Estévez have been clearly vital items for them final season, however the complete rotation and offense comes again as a crew that was among the many greatest in baseball in 2024. They might in all probability even afford to let a type of relievers stroll, assuming they will repair José Alvarado, who took an enormous step again (1.74 ERA in 2023 to 4.09 in 2024, to call one stat). 

Greatest wants

The Phillies might simply run it again, but it surely does not sound like that is essentially the plan. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski conceded final month that the crew must be “open-minded to exploring what’s on the market for us.”

“Typically you commerce good gamers for good gamers,” he mentioned.

The expectation is the Phillies signal beginning pitching depth (it might assist if it was somebody to switch Taijuan Walker within the rotation), a middle fielder and considered one of Hoffman/Estévez. They might additionally put Brandon Marsh in a center-field platoon and add a left fielder and even flip Nick Castellanos to left subject to accommodate a sure mega-star proper fielder. 

Any massive splash transfer feels more likely to come through commerce, as Dombrowski has indicated that the Phillies have sufficient big-time stars and would as a substitute deal with constructing out roster depth. However you by no means know, as a result of there isn’t any purpose to consider the Phillies will tamp down payroll. Once more, their proprietor believes in caring for the fan base. Too dangerous there aren’t extra like him. 

One thing to look at: The Phillies might commerce Alec Bohm. He was benched within the playoffs, he is solely two years from free company and the Phillies have a third-base prospect coming quickly in Aidan Miller. They might transfer Bohm and use a veteran stop-gap as they attempt to win the World Collection. 

Attainable matches

Juan Soto – This appears extremely unlikely and the Phillies’ existence in Soto rumors feels extra like due diligence than a severe contender, but it surely can not actually be counted out. They might make him match and have the cash. 

Brent Rooker – The A’s have mentioned they do not need to commerce Rooker, however what sense does it make to maintain him? He is 30 and coming off a profession yr they usually aren’t planning on contending till they’re settled in Las Vegas a number of years from now. His 39 homers and 112 RBI would slot in fairly properly with the Phillies as their left fielder. 

Luis Robert – He slots properly in middle. The White Sox ought to in all probability transfer him now with one yr (and two crew choices) left on  his club-friendly contract. It might be a simple transfer to assist rebuild the farm system. Robert is coming off a fairly dangerous yr, however he posted 5.0 WAR with 38 homers and 20 steals in 2023. He is 27 years previous. He’d be an enormous upside play. 

Garrett Crochet – Hey, in the event that they’re gonna name about Robert, they could as nicely attempt to get a bundle deal from the White Sox, no? 

Roki Sasaki – Everybody ought to be in on him. He’d match very properly right here as he heads to his age-23 season, which might be his first in MLB. I say that as a result of he’d be slotted towards the top of the rotation and would have much less stress, however he’d additionally very seemingly be blissful to hitch a contender. 

Devin Williams – What if the Phillies let each Estévez and Hoffman stroll after which traded for Williams? The Brewers are recognized to be procuring the elite nearer and he’d be an excellent match with any crew. 

Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer – Both in all probability simply needs a one-year take care of an opportunity for one more ring. The Phillies have the cash and a fifth spot within the rotation. It might make sense.

Walker Buehler – Coming off a catastrophe of an everyday season, Buehler was principally excellent within the playoffs. He is seemingly on the lookout for a one-year deal to re-establish his worth as a frontline starter. An upside play right here from the Phillies’ standpoint would make sense. 

The highest free agent relievers – Blake Treinen, Clay Holmes, Tanner Scott, Kenley Jansen, Kirby Yates, A.J. Minter, Estévez, Hoffman … any work. 

Harrison Bader – If the Phillies do go a budget route in including a middle fielder, Bader might match the invoice.