The Phillies are still chasing a championship. What will it take to get them there?
After their second straight exit in the National League Division Series, the Phillies and their talented core are still seeking their first World Series crown since 2008. To have their best shot in 2026, they’ll have to hit the right notes via free agency and the trade market this offseason to improve their roster.
Here are three goals for the rest of Philadelphia’s offseason.
Retaining Schwarber has been a stated top priority for the Phillies, and it sure makes sense. Bringing back the slugging designated hitter, who finished second in NL MVP Award voting in 2025, would be crucial for a Phillies team hoping to claim its third straight NL East title and make a deep postseason run.
Schwarber — MLB.com’s No. 3-ranked free agent — crushed 56 homers in 2025 and averaged 46.75 dingers per season during his four-year deal with Philadelphia from 2022-25. He was a key part of the club’s run to the World Series in 2022 and to the NLCS in 2023, slugging 14 postseason home runs and posting a .930 playoff OPS with the Phils.
Schwarber has said he hopes to return to Philadelphia, although the two sides were not close to a deal as of Tuesday, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. That said, it’s only November, and there’s plenty of time to hash out contract details. A reunion between Schwarber and the Phillies makes a ton of sense, and there’s no more immediate priority for Philadelphia this offseason than bringing back its star slugger.
Of course, Schwarber isn’t the only key Phillies player hitting free agency this winter: Realmuto and lefty starter Ranger Suárez are also on the open market. The Phillies may not be able to bring back Suárez, but Realmuto is easily the best free-agent option at his position, and retaining him would be a logical move.
A position group that seemed like a strength a few years ago is now a weakness. Schwarber is a full-time DH, Bryce Harper’s outfielder’s mitt is gathering dust and Nick Castellanos is expected to be traded or released this offseason. Behind Brandon Marsh, the Phillies don’t currently have much in the way of MLB-caliber starting outfielders for 2026.
The Phillies’ relief corps was far from a strength in 2025, and the club’s main offseason addition was part of the problem. Righty reliever Jordan Romano, a former All-Star with the Blue Jays, signed with the Phils on a 1-year, $8.5 million deal but struggled to an 8.23 ERA in 49 appearances. Key lefty José Alvarado was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, another reason Philadelphia relievers finished 2025 with a 4.27 ERA, tied for 10th highest in the Majors.
It’s unlikely the Phillies will go after one of the top free-agent relievers in the class (such as Edwin Díaz, Robert Suarez or Devin Williams), but there are plenty of available pitchers who could help. If Philadelphia wants to help out its excellent starting rotation and build toward another postseason push, adding a reliever or two would be appropriate.
