With the stage set for the Fall Classic, the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays are set to duke it out for baseball's most coveted title. The Philadelphia Phillies, however, will be watching at home for a third straight year instead of gearing up to defend the National League.
While no moves can be made until the final out of the World Series, watching these two teams go at it starts the wheels turning for Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and the rest of the front office as they begin planning for 2026. The Phillies will be looking to shake things up, with rumors already circulating about trading veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos.
While the differences in how the Blue Jays and Dodgers constructed their rosters are apparent, both teams worked tirelessly last offseason to create the rosters heading to the World Series.
Regardless of whom you decide to root for throughout the series, one thing is for sure: both teams seem to have several viable free agent options that could fill or replace voids in the Phillies' lineup.
4 pending free agents in the World Series who Phillies should target this offseason
Michael Kopech, RHP
After acquiring Michael Kopech from the Chicago White Sox in the midst of a three-team deal at the 2024 trade deadline, the 29-year-old right-hander has proven to be a wise investment for Los Angeles.
While his career stats aren't the best reflection of his work, this season Kopech had a 2.45 regular-season ERA with 30 holds and 15 saves in 21 opportunities, with more than 50 percent of his pitches thrown for strikes (.580).
If the Phillies can woo Kopech away from the Dodgers, he could easily slot into the Orion Kerkering role, assuming the Phillies would be willing to assign Kerkering lower-leverage situations.
Michael Kopech, IMMACULATE Inning to End the Game! pic.twitter.com/UC4UKtbglA
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 10, 2024
Kirby Yates, RHP
Heading into his age-39 season in 2026, Kirby Yates has proven himself as a dominant reliever and occasional closer in both Los Angeles and Texas, where he won the 2023 World Series.
After waiting until essentially right before pitchers and catchers reported this past February, Yates signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Dodgers. His regular-season ERA of 5.23 was out of character for him. However, he allegedly pushed through injury in the latter half of the season and went on the IL towards the end of September, which is why the Phillies didn't see him in the NLDS.
Yates has proven time and time again that he can handle high-leverage situations that this year's Phillies relievers could not. With a career 3.36 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP, Yates would be a significant step up for the bullpen, which is still in desperate need of a solid identity.
Ty France, 1B
Ty France has had a nomadic couple of seasons after his time with the Seattle Mariners. He seemed to find himself again in Toronto, and with free agency looming, Philadelphia could be a good fit. If the Phillies part ways with Alec Bohm, then they'll need to invest in a solid first base alternative for if and when Harper needs time off. France was a top defensive first basemen, with +10 outs above average.
After being traded to the Blue Jays at the deadline, France hit .277 with a .693 OPS. He could be an extremely affordable and viable right-handed bench bat while producing comparable defense to the Gold Glove nominee Harper, with a Gold Glove nod himself.
Ty France's FIRST Blue Jays blast! pic.twitter.com/5lEKJUcVoC
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 28, 2025
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, INF
The last, and probably least sensical with how well Edmundo Sosa has played, would be Blue Jays infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
His second tenure in Toronto has not been as dominant as his original stint. However, the 30-year-old has shown that his versatile defense and solid bat (.266 batting average) from the right side of the plate have been a common thread through his last two seasons with Pittsburgh and Toronto as he finds himself in the postseason spotlight. He
If the Phillies choose to part with either Bohm or Bryson Stott, Kiner-Falefa could easily slide into either second or third base.