4 qualifying offer free agents Phillies should pay the extra penalty to sign and why

Thirteen free agents, 11 from other organizations, received qualifying offers before last week's deadline. Assuming these players all reject their offers, are there any worth the Philadelphia Phillies paying the extra penalty to sign this offseason?

The Phillies are one of six competitive balance taxpayers in the league. This means they will have to surrender $1 million in international bonus pool money and two 2026 draft picks (their second- and fifth-highest selections) if they sign one of these 11 free agents. If the Phillies sign two of these free agents, the penalty is more costly. They'll lose four draft picks: their second-, third-, fifth- and sixth-highest selections.

While it remains a long shot that the Phillies will sign any of these players, to avoid forfeiting future draft picks and bonus pool money, some of these free agents would be worth the risk. Their addition would drastically improve a roster currently striving to win a World Series.

4 free agents the Phillies should pay the qualifying offer penalty to sign

Edwin Díaz, RHP

The Phillies already have a closer in Jhoan Duran. They also exercised reliever José Alvarado's $9 million club option for next season. Adding 31-year-old Edwin Díaz could put their bullpen over the top.

Díaz posted a 1.63 ERA in 62 games this season, which trailed only Aroldis Chapman's 1.17 ERA for the best ERA among closers. He logged 98 strikeouts and just 21 walks in 66 1/3 innings, saving 28 games for the New York Mets.

Over the course of a 162-game season and an October playoff schedule, there are injuries and inconsistencies in any bullpen. Signing Díaz would give Phillies manager Rob Thomson two relievers with plenty of experience closing games.

Bo Bichette, SS

Bo Bichette remains talented and worth the Phillies' signing in the offseason, despite the infielder's injury history and concerning defensive play. The shortstop most recently played through a left knee sprain in the World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays. He had six RBIs and hits in six of the seven World Series games.

Bichette hit .311 with an .840 OPS and 94 RBIs in 139 games this season, his most runs driven in since a career-high 102 in 2021. He's a career .294 hitter with an .806 OPS over seven big league seasons. He has accumulated 3.5 bWAR or better in four of the last five years.

His injuries have impacted him defensively. The 27-year-old could be a second baseman long-term, which is where he played at the end of October. With the Phillies having Trea Turner at shortstop, Bichette could be a fit for the club at second base if they trade Bryson Stott.

Kyle Tucker, OF

Kyle Tucker is the top position player available in free agency. The Phillies' outfield is the one area they need to improve the most this offseason. In addition to the loss of draft picks and bonus pool money, the price to sign Tucker to a contract projected to run up to 11 years for at least $400 million will be very costly for Phillies managing partner John Middleton, but it would be worth it.

Tucker is an all-around player with legitimate skills as a hitter, in the outfield and on the bases. He's a career .273 hitter with an .865 OPS. In just 136 games while battling injury this year, the right-fielder still hit 22 home runs, drove in 73, scored 91 times and stole 25 bases for the Chicago Cubs. He has finished with 25 or more stolen bases in three of the last four seasons.

The soon-to-be 29-year-old would undoubtedly improve an outfield projected to undergo many changes this winter. Harrison Bader and Max Kepler are free agents, and Nick Castellanos is unlikely to return to the club next year despite being under contract for 2026.

Shota Imanaga, LHP

The Phillies had interest in signing starting pitcher Shota Imanaga before the 2024 season. The Cubs ended up signing the left-hander. Earlier in November, they declined their three-year, $57 million team option, and the 32-year-old rejected his $15 million player option, making him a free agent.

Imanaga pitched to a 3.73 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 117 strikeouts in 144 1/3 innings this season. In his two seasons in Chicago, making 29 starts in each, he has a 24-11 record with a 3.28 ERA.

The Phillies should have a strong starting rotation again, but you can always use more pitching. Questions will linger about some of their veterans after this season.

What will Aaron Nola look like after the worst year of his career? Will Zack Wheeler bounce back to his usual dominant self whenever he returns to the rotation after thoracic outlet decompression surgery? Plus, left-hander Ranger Suárez is likely to sign elsewhere in free agency.

Signing Imanaga would give the Phillies another starting option and the satisfaction of signing a top Japanese free agent, even if he's not coming from Japan this time around. It might help them in future Japanese free agent pursuits.