Teoscar Hernández
With the Phillies looking for a power-hitting, run-producing outfielder this offseason, there are two obvious candidates that stand out above the rest. One of those standouts is Dodgers’ outfielder Teoscar Hernández. After all, the two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner has produced 25+ home runs and 65+ RBI campaigns in five of the past six seasons.
This year with the Dodgers, Hernández has been even better, recording career highs in home runs (33), walks (53) and total bases (295). He posted a solid .272 batting average and .840 OPS with 84 runs scored, 32 doubles, 99 RBI and 12 stolen bases for good measure.
More significantly, he has been super clutch with runners in scoring position, hitting .288 with a .943 OPS. With RISP and two outs, he boasts a stellar .306 average with a .939 OPS. He certainly would have come in handy in situations where the Phillies often came up short down the stretch, especially in the playoffs when their offense went dry.
Hernández’s main flaw may be his suspect defense, given that he registered a -3 DRS with a .989 fielding percentage this past season. He does possess a strong arm, as he has recorded seven outfield assists this season and another 12 just the season prior. Nevertheless, it should be more than acceptable for the Phillies, as his offense would likely more than make up for that difference. Hernández will likely be a hot commodity this offseason in free agency, but the Phillies should have the resources to take a run at him if they choose to.
Juan Soto
The other candidate happens to be none other than the crown jewel of the upcoming free agency Juan Soto. Without question, Soto will be the target of many teams this winter. After all, we are talking about a game-changer who has been a four-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger while finishing runner-up to both the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 2018 and the NL MVP Award in 2021.
This year with the Yankees, Soto has taken his game to an even higher level, posting career bests in runs scored (128), hits (166), home runs (41) and total bases (328). He has helped lead the team to an AL East division title in the process.
More importantly, he has been one of the key offensive players for New York this postseason, compiling a .333 batting average, 1.106 OPS, together with six runs scored, two doubles, three home runs and eight RBI over nine playoff games before Friday's Game 1 of the World Series. Of his 11 hits to date, none were bigger than his clutch, go-ahead three-run homer with two outs in the 10th inning against the Cleveland Guardians to help the Yankees clinch the ALCS.
At the young age of 26, Soto will only get better as he heads into his prime years. There have been recent rumors and reports stating that the Phillies are long shots at best in pursuit of the Yankees’ superstar. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski even hinted that it may not happen.
Nevertheless, you never know with Dombrowski at the helm. If anyone can make the impossible possible, it's him. As a result, if the Phillies somehow miraculously land Soto, they will no doubt be set for the next decade.