1. Add another full-time outfielder
The Phillies entered the 2024 regular season with an outfield position group that only included one outfielder, Nick Castellanos, who was used as a starter. Manager Rob Thomson elected to use Johan Rojas, Brandon Marsh, Cristian Pache, Whit Merrifield, Austin Hays, Cal Stevenson, and Weston Wilson in center and left. Kyle Schwarber saw minimal time in left field as he transitioned to the team's full-time designated hitter.
Pache and Merrifield finished the season with other teams. During the trade deadline, the Phillies traded the former, along with reliever Seranthony Domínguez, to the Baltimore Orioles for Hays. Philadelphia did not receive much of an upgrade at the position following the deal.
Hays missed time during the second half of the season for the Phillies with a hamstring strain and a kidney infection. He is due an estimated $6.4 million in arbitration for 2025 before becoming a free agent next winter. Will the franchise be willing to pay that, or will they consider trading the outfielder?
Could the front office trade one or more of their outfielders this winter? It remains to be seen what the future holds for Rojas with an organization aiming to win a championship now. Dombrowski could trade the young outfielder to a club that is rebuilding and in a position to be more patient with the 24-year-old's continued development due to their position of not being a playoff contender.
After a decent first few months in 2024, Marsh struggled beginning in July. He posted a .229/.307/.411 line from the start of July to the end of September. The outfielder demonstrated his tendency to strike out with 154 in 418 plate appearances over 135 contests. He may be used full-time by Thomson but lacks the consistency to be effective for a six-month regular season schedule.
It is unknown if the Phillies will consider offering free agent outfielder Juan Soto a deal this winter. The outfielder will likely receive an offer for over 10 years worth up to $600 million. Dombrowski mentioned previously he thinks the organization: " need to have more star players. Would you be open to it? Yes, but I think you have to be careful because sometimes it's not only the star players, it's also sometimes the supporting cast."
Despite rumors to the contrary, the fanbase should not get its hopes up regarding the team pursuing Soto. Some notable free agent outfielders include Teoscar Hernández, Jurickson Profar, Harrison Bader, Tyler O'Neill, Alex Verdugo and Anthony Santander.
Hernández and Santander have received qualifying offers from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles, respectively. It appears the Phillies will aim to bolster their supporting cast in the offseason, and acquiring a few outfielders this winter via trade or free agency is one way they can do that.