The Philadelphia Phillies still need to make improvements to their roster at this point in the offseason. The position that needs to be addressed the most is catcher, with J.T. Realmuto still unsigned. However, work could still be done to make another position group better, such as the outfield.
Despite undergoing some changes, the Phillies' outfield is projected to be underwhelming in 2026. Even though Kyle Tucker may not agree to a long-term deal as anticipated at this point in the offseason, the Phillies are still unlikely to add him.
According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Tucker could end up needing to adjust his contract terms to take a shorter deal this winter.
"The Tucker market is the biggest mystery," Nightengale noted recently. "He was projected to earn a contract in the $400 million neighborhood but could have to instead take a higher AAV on a short-term contract and hit the market again after two consecutive injury-plagued second halves."
Tucker could end up agreeing to a short-term multi-year contract with opt-outs after multiple seasons, similar to the deal Alex Bregman agreed to last offseason with the Boston Red Sox. This kind of contract would increase the Phillies' payroll for this year, but it may not count against it in any additional seasons if there is an opt-out clause following 2026 in the deal and Tucker signs a new contract next winter with Philadelphia or another franchise.
Phillies have greatest need for Kyle Tucker with outfield still a huge roster flaw
According to MLB.com's Mike Petriello, who recently ranked the eight clubs that need Tucker the most, the Phillies, whose projected outfield rank is 27th, are the No. 1 team that could benefit from signing the coveted free agent.
"The Phillies' outfield has been an issue for a while now, especially with Bryce Harper now a first baseman," Petriello notes. "It’s largely been with the exact same core of Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas and Nick Castellanos, supplemented at times by veterans like Harrison Bader or Max Kepler or role pieces like Otto Kemp or Weston Wilson. It’s now looking to be a bottom-five unit, and absolutely everyone expects that one way or another, Castellanos has played his final game for the Phillies."
Bader and Kepler won't return to Philadelphia. Following Mike Yastrzemski's two-year, $23 million contract with the Atlanta Braves that includes a club option for a third year, the Phillies are less likely to bring Bader back if the outfielder is looking for a similar deal in free agency. Following Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski's comments on their outfield after the addition of Adolis García it appears the team is satisfied as is.
The Phillies currently plan on starting prospect Justin Crawford in center field, García in right, and platooning Marsh and likely Kemp in left. While there is excitement around Crawford making his major league debut this year, there is skepticism about García following two consecutive disappointing seasons with the Texas Rangers.
There is also concern with the plan of a rotation in left field between Marsh and Kemp, which gives off "been there, done that" vibes. It remains to be seen how good a player Kemp can be in the majors, but Marsh isn't good enough to be an everyday starting outfielder.
Petriello made his case for the Phillies to sign Tucker, despite it being an unlikely outcome.
"For all the talk of shaking things up in Philadelphia, all that’s really happened is adding García and bringing back Kyle Schwarber (understandably, obviously). They still need to sort out catcher, whether that’s returning J.T. Realmuto or looking elsewhere. There’s just no way for them to improve things quite as much as they could by adding Tucker – as unlikely as it may seem."
If the Phillies add Tucker on a short-term deal, they could put him in right field. García last spent time in center field in 2023 and last played left during in 2021. He has played in 145 career games in center field. The Phillies could use Crawford in both left field and center. Like García, Tucker has played the majority of his MLB career in right field, but the free agent has played 72 career games in left. Marsh, Rojas, and Kemp could be used in reserve roles in left and center field.
The Phillies' signing Tucker was always a pipedream, especially now that they have re-signed Schwarber and added García. If Tucker agrees to a short-term deal, his higher AAV makes it even more unlikely the organization will sign him. Despite the outfield remaining a position of need once again, fans shouldn't expect the front office to sign him or make any significant additions to the group.