Here’s everything you need to know as the Phillies begin to shape their 2026 roster

The Philadelphia Phillies are heading into one of their most important offseasons in recent memory. After another strong regular season that ended short of a World Series run, tough decisions are coming for Dave Dombrowski and the front office.

Phillies officially begin one of the most important offseasons in franchise history

Phillies Free Agents

The Phillies have a long list of players hitting the open market:

José Alvarado ($9 million club option), Harrison Bader ($10 million mutual option), Walker Buehler, Max Kepler, Tim Mayza, J.T. Realmuto, David Robertson, Jordan Romano, Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suárez, and Lou Trivino.

That’s a mix of stars, starters, and key bullpen arms who could all be gone.

Phillies’ Qualifying Offers

Kyle Schwarber and Ranger Suárez are expected to receive one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offers.

Both are likely to decline, which would make them free agents and net the Phillies a compensation pick after the fourth round of the 2026 MLB Draft if they sign elsewhere.

Qualifying offers can be made up until five days after the World Series, and players have until Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. ET to accept.

Here’s what it would take for the Phillies to sign Ranger Suarez in free agency

Phillies’ Club and Mutual Options

The Phillies are expected to pick up José Alvarado’s $9 million option, even after an injury-riddled and suspension-shortened season. Dombrowski made it clear that the front office still believes in his stuff and expects him back in 2026.

Harrison Bader, on the other hand, will almost certainly decline his half of a $10 million mutual option. Mutual options are rarely exercised by both sides, and Bader is expected to seek a multiyear deal after one of the best seasons of his career.

Option decisions must be finalized within five days of the end of the World Series.

Phillies Arbitration-Eligible Players

Nine Phillies are eligible for salary arbitration this winter:

Tanner Banks, Alec Bohm, Jhoan Duran, Jesús Luzardo, Rafael Marchán, Brandon Marsh, Edmundo Sosa, Bryson Stott, and Garrett Stubbs.

The non-tender deadline is Nov. 21. Stubbs is the most likely non-tender candidate, though the Phillies could once again agree to a one-year deal before the deadline to maintain catching depth behind Realmuto.

Phillies 9 arbitration-eligible players and what they are projected to make in 2026

40-Man Roster and Rule 5 Decisions

The Phillies currently have 39 players on the 40-man roster, with Zack Wheeler and Daniel Robert needing to be reinstated from the 60-day IL after the World Series. That means moves are coming soon.

Prospects who need to be protected before the Nov. 18 Rule 5 Draft deadline include:

• Andrew Painter (No. 1 prospect) – a lock to be protected and potentially a 2026 rotation starter.
• Gabriel Rincones Jr. (No. 9) – expected to be added after Dombrowski mentioned him as a possible Opening Day contributor.
• Alex McFarlane (No. 20) and Griff McGarry – right-handers who could be plucked if left exposed.
• Felix Reyes, Caleb Ricketts (No. 22), and Andrew Baker are also names to watch.

Here are the Phillies prospects who are Rule 5 Draft eligible in 2025

What the Phillies Need in 2026

Even after winning 96 games, this roster has holes. The bullpen remains unpredictable, the lineup needs balance, and the outfield picture is murky at best.

If Schwarber, Kepler, Bader, and Castellanos all move on, Brandon Marsh could be the only returning outfielder in 2026. Prospect Justin Crawford (No. 3 in the system) is expected to make a strong push for an Opening Day role.

In the bullpen, upgrades are inevitable. The Phillies have been linked to several mid-tier relievers in early speculation, with Dombrowski prioritizing reliability over name value.

The Trade Block

The Phillies tried to move Alec Bohm last winter and could explore it again with Aidan Miller closing in on a major league debut. Bohm’s bat remains inconsistent, and Miller’s development at third base makes him an eventual fit for the corner infield spot.

Nick Castellanos is another trade candidate, though moving him would likely require eating a large portion of his $20 million salary. He ranked last in MLB in both fWAR (-0.6) and bWAR (-1.0), making him difficult to deal.

Other names who could generate interest:

Brandon Marsh, José Alvarado, Rafael Marchán, Matt Strahm, and Orion Kerkering.

Nick Castellanos hires new agency as Phillies split looms

Free Agency Outlook

The Phillies have expressed a desire to keep both Schwarber and Realmuto, which would limit their payroll flexibility. If both return, expect the club to target short-term, cost-efficient deals similar to last year’s one-year contracts for Kepler and Romano.

Big names like Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, and others likely remain out of reach unless the team clears significant salary. Still, this front office has a track record of surprise moves when the right deal presents itself.

Big Decisions Incoming…

The Phillies are walking a tightrope between maintaining a veteran core and ushering in the next wave of talent. With multiple starters, a franchise catcher, and bullpen arms hitting free agency, this offseason will shape the direction of the team for years to come.

They’ve got money, talent, and motivation to fix what went wrong in October. Now it’s up to Dombrowski and company to build a roster that doesn’t just win in the regular season.

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