4 Phillies players who played their way right out of the team's 2026 plans

Which four players have played their way right out of the Philadelphia Phillies' 2026 plans? These individuals who did not play well will likely not be re-signed, or they will be traded or released this offseason.

Some of these players were signed to short-term contracts last winter to provide depth for the team at specific positions. Others have been with the Phillies for a few seasons, and the organization will simply be seeking other alternatives by the beginning of the 2026 regular season.

4 Phillies players who played their way right out of the 2026 plans

Jordan Romano, RHP

Jordan Romano had a season to forget in his one year with the Phillies. The club envisioned that he'd be one of their late-inning relievers to make up for the losses of free agents Carlos Estévez and Jeff Hoffman.

The plan didn't work out at all. Romano's year was a flop, while Estévez and Hoffman finished first and fourth, respectively, in saves during the regular season.

Romano got off to a bad start and ended up finishing with -1.7 bWAR, which is the worst of his seven years in the majors. His 39 earned runs allowed and 8.23 ERA were also career worsts. Phillies manager Rob Thomson had to stop using him in high-leverage situations because of the right-hander's inconsistency.

For the second consecutive season, Romano ended the year on the IL, suffering right middle finger inflammation at the end of August. The injury developed into neck stiffness and numbness in his finger. The team believed it to be a nerve issue. Considering the Phillies only signed him to a one-year deal last offseason, the 32-year-old will not return to Philadelphia in 2026.

Max Kepler, OF

The one-year, $10 million deal the Phillies agreed to with Max Kepler last winter was a gamble to solve their outfield woes. It didn't work despite giving him the everyday job in left field. The 32-year-old's 88 OPS+ this year was his lowest in a single season, outside his debut in 2015.

His year was going poorly as he entered August with a slash line of .203/.297/.357 and a .654 OPS. Kepler was a candidate to be released after the trade deadline but the native of Berlin, Germany, responded with some of his best numbers of the season. He posted a .789 OPS and a .273/.298/.491 line in August.

Despite the improved offensive play at the end of the season, don't expect Kepler to be re-signed by the Phillies. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski hinted during the team's end-of-season press conference that the outfielder won't be back next year.

Nick Castellanos, OF

Even though Nick Castellanos has one year remaining on his five-year, $100 million contract he signed before the 2022 season, there is a strong indication the Phillies will trade or release the outfielder this winter.

Thomson made Castellanos a part of his outfield rotation, which the manager hadn't done in previous seasons. This didn't sit well with the right fielder, who had already expressed his frustrations during a game in which he was removed for defensive purposes.

The 33-year-old also commented to the media later in the season about his unhappiness with Thomson's decision to reduce his playing time. This is not the first season he has clashed with Thomson over certain issues.

Castellanos' .694 OPS this season was the worst of his career besides his major league debut in 2013. His 88 OPS+ and .294 OBP were also his lowest since his debut. His -1.0 bWAR is the worst of his time in the majors.

Castellanos hasn't lived up to the expensive contract the Phillies signed him to. There have been rumors in previous offseasons that the outfielder could be traded. It looks like that will happen this offseason, or he will be released.

Weston Wilson, UTL

Weston Wilson is known for his defensive versatility. Thomson has played him at left field, first base and second base most often during his three years with the Phillies. The utility player has also played briefly at third base, center field and right field.

All clubs need at least one player with these capabilities during a 162-game schedule and a potential long postseason in October. However, Wilson is out of minor league options, which could spell the end of his tenure with the organization. The emergence of rookie Otto Kemp in 2025 also affects Wilson's future with the Phillies.

Offensively, Wilson struggled this season. In 125 plate appearances over 52 games, the most he has played in three years with the Phillies, he posted some of his worst numbers. The 31-year-old finished with a .198/.282/.369 slash line and career lows in OPS (.652), OPS+ (77), ISO (.171) and bWAR (-0.5).

He has proven to be limited offensively at the major league level. In addition to Kemp, the Phillies may seek a replacement for Wilson this offseason via trade or free agency who is a better hitter and that can play multiple positions.