The Philadelphia Phillies ended their 2025 season in the NLDS for the second straight year. Coming up short against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Phillies need to make some moves this winter to get back to the World Series.
Some big changes could be coming for the Phillies, with Nick Castellanos, Alec Bohm and potentially others not having certain futures with the team. But the most important area for Dave Dombrwoski to focus on to fix the team is free agency.
There are a ton of options on the open market at the Phillies' main positions of need, including designated hitter, outfielder, catcher and third base. Kyle Schwarber, JT Realmuto, Ranger Suarez and Harrison Bader are all free agents, opening a few key roster spots to address this winter.
To fill those holes and rebuild this roster for a World Series run, there are nine free agent targets that Dombrowski and John Middleton should pursue this offseason.
Tier 1: The top options for the Phillies this winter
1. Kyle Schwarber, DH
- 2025 Stats: 4.7 bWAR, 145 H, 56 HR, 132 RBI,.240 BA,.928 OPS
There is no bigger free agent priority for the Phillies this winter than Schwarber. He's coming off an incredible 56 home run season with 132 RBIs, both career highs and both led the National League, with his RBI total leading all of baseball.
He's going to be 33 years old at the start of the 2026 season and is likely heading towards a five-year contract worth around $150 million total. While a lot for a DH only, Schwarber's production would be more than worth it.
Letting Schwarber depart in free agency would be a huge blunder, especially with how much he's become beloved in the city. Re-signing him is a must for Dombrowski and the Phillies, as he's the top option for the Phillies in free agency this season.
MORE: Kyle Schwarber gets emotional as free agency looms after Phillies’ NLDS heartbreak
2. Kyle Tucker, OF
- 2025 Stats: 4.6 bWAR, 133 H, 22 HR, 73 RBI,.266 BA,.841 OPS
Kyle Tucker is the perfect alternative for the Phillies if they somehow can't re-sign Schwarber. He can slide into right field easily, taking over for Castellanos, who's likely on his way out.
His offense is strong, and he provides quality defense as well. Adding Tucker to the outfield would be a massive boost to the defense and the offense.
A contract for Tucker would likely be the largest one given out this winter, as he's potentially going to land a deal north of $400 million total. He's going to be 29 years old at the start of the 2026 season and would be worth a big payday.
The Phillies likely won't add both Tucker and Schwarber, but if the fan-favorite designated hitter leaves for another team, Tucker would be a more than suitable replacement.
3. Cody Bellinger, OF
- 2025 Stats: 5.1 bWAR, 160 H, 29 HR, 98 RBI,.272 BA,.813 OPS
Cody Bellinger is coming off a strong season with the New York Yankees and would be the next-best thing for Philadelphia this winter if they cannot find a way to keep Schwarber or sign Tucker.
He's a former MVP, and not only provides high-quality offense, but is an elite fielder in the outfield. Plus, he's going to be only 30 years old on Opening Day. While not young, it's younger than Schwarber and some of the other top free agents on the market.
The Phillies could bring in Bellinger on a large new contract, replacing some of Schwarber's offense while improving the outfield defense in a big way.
MORE: Phillies' Dave Dombrowski shares four-word message on Nick Castellanos trade rumors
Tier 2: Three MLB veterans at positions of need
4. JT Realmuto, C
- 2025 Stats: 2.5 bWAR, 129 H, 12 HR, 52 RBI,.257 BA,.700 OPS
The Phillies are bringing Realmuto back; it should be a priority this winter. There is no top catcher on the market other than Realmuto, and retaining some familiarity with the Phillies' pitching staff would be key.
He will be 35 years old on Opening Day, so the Phillies likely wouldn't be on the hook for more than two seasons if they did re-sign Realmuto.
While his offense isn't flashy, keeping him around for a couple more seasons, at least through 2027 in the Phillies' "Zack Wheeler window," makes a lot of sense.
MORE: Phillies' J.T. Realmuto shuts down any free agency talk after loss vs. Dodgers
5. Alex Bregman, 3B
- 2025 Stats: 3.5 bWAR, 118 H, 18 HR, 62 RBI,.273 BA,.821 OPS
Alex Bregman will be 32 years old at the start of the season and would come to the Phillies to take over for Alec Bohm at third base. His 2025 season was shortened due to injury, and he opted out of a two-year, $80 million deal with the Boston Red Sox to hit the open market.
While the Phillies won't have an easy time signing Bregman, he would be a significant upgrade over Bohm offensively, while providing better defense.
The All-Star third baseman would give the Phillies the right-handed hitter they're looking for, while also paving the way for Bohm to be traded a lot more easily than before.
6. Pete Alonso, 1B/DH
- 2025 Stats: 3.4 bWAR, 170 H, 38 HR, 126 RBI,.272 BA,.871 OPS
Pete Alonso is a free agent for the second straight season, and instead of returning to the New York Mets for a second time, the Phillies could swoop in and sign him to a big new contract.
He's going to be 31 years old by the start of 2026 and is coming off another strong season. The big difference with Alonso is that his fit on the roster isn't as clear-cut as the other top options.
If Schwarber departs, then he could sign on as a designated hitter. But if the Phillies re-sign Schwarber or a different DH, then Alonso could take over first base while Bryce Harper moves back to right field.
This might not be the most popular move the Phillies could make, but it would be an interesting one that would give Philadelphia the right-handed power hitter that's been absent the last few seasons. Plus, they would steal a beloved slugger from a division rival.
MORE: Phillies linked to Pete Alonso as a Kyle Schwarber replacement
Tier 3: Three Japanese stars who'd be great fits
7. Munetaka Murakami, 1B/3B/DH
- 2025 Stats: 63 H, 24 HR, 52 RBI,.286 BA,.1.051 OPS
One of the more fascinating free agent targets this winter, Munetaka Murakami, was posted by the Yakult Swallows. With a short window to sign, Murakami would likely replace Schwarber on the Phillies roster if he were to depart.
There aren't many free agent options with as much slugging upside as Murakami, and while there isn't a clear-cut fit if Schwarber re-signs, he would be a great option otherwise.
With the Phillies attempting to branch into the Japanese free agent market but coming up short for Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Murakami could be their first major free agent signing out of Japan.
Murakami will be 26 years old on Opening Day, making him one of the younger free agents this offseason. He's an interesting fit for the Phillies and would be a fun addition to the roster, though likely only if Schwarber departs.
8. Tatsuya Imai, SP
- 2025 Stats: 10-5, 1.92 ERA, 5 CG, 163.1 IP, 178 SO, 45 BB, 6 HR, 0.892 WHIP
The lone pitcher on this list, Tatsuya Imai, would be a huge signing for the Phillies if they could pull it off. He's 27 years old and has shown he's an elite pitcher in Japan.
While the Phillies don't need a starting pitcher, Imai could help stabilize the rotation with Ranger Suarez departing, Jesus Luzardo in the final year of his deal, and Zack Wheeler beginning the year out due to injury.
Imai has stated he doesn't want to pitch on a team with other Japanese stars, which makes the Phillies a perfect landing spot for the veteran starter. The Phillies have tried to make splash signings with Japanese pitchers before, and Imai could be the one they finally land.
The right-hander would be a great addition to the rotation and is a realistic target for the Phillies this winter. While the rotation isn't the biggest need, spending on Imai is something Dombrowski might be willing to do.
MORE: Phillies fielding 'steady' trade interest in trio of left-handed relievers
9. Kazuma Okamoto, 1B/3B
- 2025 Stats: 87 H, 15 HR, 51 RBI,.322 BA,.992 OPS
Kazuma Okamoto is the final player in this ranking, and fittingly, he's the most underrated.
With Murakami and Imai taking the spotlight of the stars posted from Japan, Okamoto has fallen under the radar.
Okamoto is 29 years old and a quality right-handed hitter. While he played just 76 games in 2025, he showed a strong presence at the plate with his.322 batting average. He's also a power-hitter, clubbing 41 home runs in a season before in his career.
While he might not have the power of Schwarber, Alonso or Murakami, his overall offensive makeup is a very interesting option for the Phillies this winter.
Similar to Bregman, Okamoto could take over for Bohm at third base if he comes to Philadelphia. But he could also move Harper to the right by taking over at first base.
He shouldn't be utilized as a designated hitter, since his defense has been solid playing at both third base and first base.
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