Phillies linked to several huge free-agent stars ahead of looming MLB lockout

Philadelphia Phillies free agency rumors before potential MLB lockout

The Major League Baseball hot stove is burning — possibly warmer than ever before this early in the offseason — due to the potential lockout on December 1. And while the Philadelphia Phillies have yet to sign a marquee free-agent as have other teams, that could soon change.

Early Monday morning, the Phillies have been linked through reports and rumors to multiple free-agent stars. Here is the latest.

The Phillies have been linked to Kris Bryant

MLB.com’s Jon Morosi says the Phillies, as well as the American League West’s Seattle Mariners, are among the teams he has heard linked to INF/OF Kris Bryant in the last several days.

A four-time All-Star, former MVP Award winner and 2016 World Series champion, Bryant is friends with reigning National League MVP Bryce Harper. The seven-year veteran slashed a combined .265/.353/.481 with 25 home runs and 73 RBI in 144 games last season between the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants.

The Phillies have been linked to Chris Taylor

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that the Phillies, Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins are among the teams interested in INF/OF Chris Taylor.

Earlier this month, the network’s Mike Lowell (a former Marlins and Boston Red Sox star) suggested that Taylor would be a good fit since he “checks a lot of boxes” by having “athleticism, energy, and versatility.”

Taylor earned his first All-Star nod this past season and set a career-high in RBI (73), while logging 25 doubles and 20 home runs spanning 148 games. The 2020 World Series champion slugged three home runs and nine RBI in this year’s NLCS.

The Phillies have been linked to Nick Castellanos

Morosi reports that the Phillies have had “recent contact” with representatives for free-agent Nick Castellanos. The 2021 All-Star and Silver Slugger winner is represented by the Boras Corporation, the same organization as Harper and several others who already don red pinstripes.

Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski led the Detroit Tigers organization when it selected the outfielder in the first round of the 2010 draft.

Castellanos will be 30 come Opening Day; he slugged 34 home runs and 100 RBI spanning 138 games last season for the Cincinnati Reds.

Kyle Schwarber

Heyman reports that the Phillies are interested in left fielder Kyle Schwarber, who has a “huge market” — with the Miami Marlins, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies and others already interested.

After hitting a lowly .188 in 2020, Schwarber bounced back in a big way this past season, slugging 32 home runs and 71 RBI combined between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox. He credits Kevin Long with helping revamp his swing, the same Kevin Long the Phillies recently hired as their new hitting coach…