For the fourth straight season, the Philadelphia Phillies have fallen short of their World Series aspirations.
Their 2022 run from Wild Card to the Fall Classic was a surprise, ending with a loss to the Houston Astros but fueling belief that the club’s championship window had opened. With that same core intact, Philadelphia has since reached the postseason three more times, capturing two NL East titles along the way.
Yet in each of the past three Octobers, the story has been the same: bats gone cold, leads surrendered, chances wasted. After a 96-win regular season in 2025, the Phillies’ latest bid for redemption ended in the NLDS, eliminated by the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
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Even with consistent success in recent years, Philadelphia may be at a crossroads with its current core. Multiple big names are free agents, including NL MVP candidate Kyle Schwarber. What's next for the Phillies after another disappointing postseason exit?
Here's a breakdown of the Phillies' upcoming offseason, including key free agents and potential targets.
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Phillies free agents 2026
For the most part, Philadelphia has retained its star free agents in recent years. But the upcoming offseason features three big names set to hit the open market: Schwarber, catcher J.T. Realmuto and left-handed starter Ranger Suarez.
Here's the full list of Phillies free agents:
- C J.T. Realmuto
- DH Kyle Schwarber
- SP Ranger Suarez
- SP Walker Buehler
- RP David Robertson
- OF Max Kepler
- RP Jordan Romano
- RP Tim Mayza
- RP Lou Trivino
- RP Jose Alvarado*
- OF Harrison Bader**
*Has $9 million club option for 2026
** Has $10 million mutual option for 2026
Philadelphia has become one of baseball’s biggest spenders under owner John Middleton and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, routinely pursuing stars and keeping them in town. Yet after four straight postseason exits — the last three coming despite lofty expectations — the Phillies face some fascinating decisions on several key free agents.
The biggest name is Kyle Schwarber, who launched 56 home runs and led MLB with 132 RBIs during the regular season. Now primarily a designated hitter, Schwarber is positioned to earn a significant contract for his offensive production even at age 32. While reports suggest he’s likely to return to Philadelphia, his role as a DH and inconsistent postseason may give the front office something to think about.
J.T. Realmuto is another major contributor the Phillies would like to keep, though his future may depend on how much change Dombrowski envisions this offseason. Backup catcher Rafael Marchán, 26, hit .210 in 42 games this year, leaving the club without a clear internal successor. That likely pushes Philadelphia toward re-signing Realmuto or exploring external options.
Left-hander Ranger Suárez appears the most likely to depart among the team’s core free agents. The Phillies still have veteran anchors in Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler — the latter aiming for a 2026 return — plus NL Cy Young contender Cristopher Sánchez, a rejuvenated Jesús Luzardo, and top prospect Andrew Painter waiting in the wings. Suárez isn’t a must-keep piece, even after posting a 3.20 ERA and 151 strikeouts across 26 starts in 2025.
Additional potential departures include pitchers Walker Buehler, David Robertson, Tim Mayza, Jordan Romano, Lou Trivino, and José Alvarado, along with veteran outfielders Max Kepler and Harrison Bader.
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Phillies payroll 2025: Who's returning?
The Phillies have $189.38 million on the books for 2026, though Bader's mutual option and Alvarado's club option could lessen that total.
Here are Philadelphia's key contracts for next season:
| Player | 2026 salary |
| Zack Wheeler | $42 million |
| Bryce Harper | $27.55 million |
| Trea Turner | $27.27 million |
| Aaron Nola | $24.57 million |
| Nick Castellanos | $20 million |
| Taijuan Walker | $18 million |
| Matt Strahm | $7.5 million |
| Christopher Sanchez | $3.5 million |
| Alec Bohm | Arbitration-eligible |
| Jesus Luzardo | Arbitration-eligible |
| Jhoan Duran | Arbitration-eligible |
| Bryson Stott | Arbitration-eligible |
| Edmundo Sosa | Arbitration-eligible |
| Brandon Marsh | Arbitration-eligible |
| Garrett Stubbs | Arbitration-eligible |
| Tanner Banks | Arbitration-eligible |
| Rafael Marchan | Arbitration-eligible |
| Orion Kerkering | Pre-arbitration |
| Weston Wilson | Pre-arbitration |
| Otto Kemp | Pre-arbitration |
The talent returning to Philadelphia's roster in 2026 should make it a contender for the NL East title again. Harper and Turner are likely considered the only "locks" to return to the lineup though — both previously inked long-term deals with the Phillies, while every other player faces some type of question.
Outfielder Nick Castellanos has been tracking toward some sort of exit from Philadelphia, likely via trade, as he's gone from starter to platoon bat with declining offensive numbers and rough defensive numbers. Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott are likely to return but could also be trade bait if Philadelphia wants to shake-up its infield. The Phillies' offense has been up-and-down from a power standpoint, so they could pursue more contact bats for stability purposes.
In the rotation, the hope is that Wheeler can return to full-health after being shut down in 2025 due to a blood clot. When healthy, he's one of the best starters out there. Sanchez and Luzardo should also be considered locks to headline the 2026 rotation as two of the best lefties in MLB, while Nola had a disappointing 2025 but could be a bounce-back candidate in 2026. Because the Phillies also have Taijuan Walker and top prospect Andrew Painter ready for the big leagues, starting pitching won't be a point of emphasis this offseason.
If there's one area that will see continual changes, it will be the bullpen. Strahm, Kerkering and Duran are the only surefire returners as leverage arms.
So, who could the Phillies target this winter?
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Phillies offseason targets
Starting pitching is not a need for Philadelphia this offseason, outside of potentially re-signing Suarez or making a depth move. The Phillies also have their closer role, first base and shortstop locked down, while second base and third base are likely to be occupied by Stott and Bohm unless they're traded.
That leaves three key areas the Phillies will be addressing: Catcher, their outfield and bullpen. And in all likelihood, Philadelphia will be trying to retain its free agents over finding new options.
At catcher, bringing back Realmuto should be considered the top option, as he's been one of the team's best all-around players and a clubhouse leader for years. Despite being 34 years old, Realmuto had a solid second half, hitting .257 with 52 RBIs in 2025 over 134 games. A shorter-term deal for Realmuto is likely — with almost all of the free-agent catchers over the age of 32, there's not many other clear options. Adley Rutschman is considered a trade candidate for the Baltimore Orioles, though.
In the outfield, there's plenty of directions Philadelphia could go. Brandon Marsh had a good second half, but could also be a trade candidate. He remains a platoon player. Top outfield prospect Justin Crawford is expected to join the Phillies in 2026, potentially claiming left field.
Re-signing Bader would make a lot of sense, as he provided much-needed defensive abilities and a consistent bat after the trade deadline. The 31-year-old hit .305 as a member of the Phillies and could be rewarded with a larger contract; the center field free agent market is thin, with Cedric Mullins, Luis Robert Jr. or Trent Grisham being other options.
In right field, Kepler is a free agent and Castellanos is a red-hot trade candidate. That could open the position for Philadelphia to pursue names like Cody Bellinger, Mitch Haniger or Ramón Laureano. Kyle Tucker is the biggest free agent bat, but Philadelphia shouldn't be considered a top destination for him with a lot of money already on its books.
The bullpen is where the Phillies could spend most of their money. Kirby Yates, Luke Weaver, Devin Williams, Rafael Montero and Taylor Rogers are some free agents who could make sense, with Duran already owning the closer role after a 2025 deadline deal.
With another early postseason exit, the Phillies are in a tough spot. Their own free agents at key positions are mostly their best options for 2026, they already have stars in place, and the starting rotation is secure. Still, the Phillies should be a centerpiece in the buyers' trade market this offseason.