Dream Phillies starting lineup for 2026 season with a bold offseason

The Philadelphia Phillies have a significant offseason ahead of them. They want to re-sign designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and possibly catcher J.T. Realmuto. What if managing partner John Middleton and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski decided to be really bold and re-signed them both but also added the top-ranked free agent position player in outfielder Kyle Tucker?

In reality, this is very unlikely to happen. The only way the Phillies would be a possible fit for Tucker would be if they don't re-sign Schwarber. Even then, another team may make a better offer, such as the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Tucker is projected to sign a longer and more expensive contract than Schwarber. However, for the sake of argument, what would a dream Phillies starting lineup look like if Middleton and Dombrowski decided to go all-in and re-sign both Schwarber and Realmuto while also adding Tucker this winter?

Dream Phillies starting lineup for 2026 season with a bold offseason

• 1. SS Trea Turner (R)
• 2. DH Kyle Schwarber (L)
• 3. 1B Bryce Harper (L)
• 4. 3B Alec Bohm (R)
• 5. RF Kyle Tucker (L)
• 5. C J.T. Realmuto (R)
• 7. 2B Bryson Stott (L)
• 8. CF Harrison Bader (R)
• 9. LF Justin Crawford (L)

Having Trea Turner, Schwarber and Bryce Harper as the first three batters seems like the Phillies' best option. Turner was an ideal leadoff hitter during the regular season this year. His 179 total hits were the second-most in MLB behind Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.'s 184. Had Turner not suffered a hamstring strain in September, he would have finished with the most hits in 2025.

Schwarber is coming off his best offensive season. The designated hitter tied his career high with a .928 OPS. He also had career highs with 56 home runs and 132 RBIs while his 4.7 bWAR smashed his previous high of 3.5 that he set in 2021 and 2024.

According to MLB insider Jim Bowden's prediction in an article for The Athletic, signing Kyle Tucker will be an expensive deal for any team. Bowden predicts the outfielder's contract could reach as high as 10 years and $427 million (subscription required).

Adding Tucker would be the best solution to their right field issue if they trade or release Nick Castellanos as expected. Even though Tucker has dealt with injuries the last two seasons, he remains a formidable player offensively, defensively and on the base paths. He would provide good protection for whoever Thomson decides to bat in front of him.

Harper and Alec Bohm will have a better hitter batting behind them in Tucker. The right fielder is batting fifth because he hits left-handed. Placing Bohm ahead of Tucker allows manager Rob Thomson to have a left-right scenario throughout most of the lineup. Depending on injuries and off-days, Thomson could put Tucker fourth behind Harper or bat Tucker-Harper, making for a formidable part of their lineup.

Top outfield prospect Justin Crawford should make his major league debut in 2026. In the summer, Thomson said that whenever the prospect is promoted to the Phillies, he is going to play.

Now, does that mean the manager will let Crawford play full-time? Not necessarily given Thomson's track record of platooning his outfielders. Should the Phillies manager let him play full time? Absolutely. While there may be a learning curve for Crawford at the beginning of the season, the 21-year-old appears to have exceptional ability for a player his age. He could be a finalist for the NNL Rookie of the Year Award in 2026.

The Phillies may envision playing top prospect Aidan Miller at third base once he is ready for the majors. Let's say the front office doesn't trade Bohm this winter but rather by the 2026 trade deadline and brings up Miller following the deal. The organization manages to get something in return for Bohm rather than losing him for nothing as a free agent next winter.

Miller may produce at the same level next year with Triple-A Lehigh Valley that he did at the end of this season with Double-A Reading and the IronPigs. If he does, he might be ready to make his MLB debut in the second half. Despite playing as a shortstop, the Phillies have said they are open to moving him to other positions, including third base.

Even though Harrison Bader declined his $10 million mutual option and became a free agent, the Phillies have stated their interest in bringing him back as their center fielder. Bader stepped up as one of their best hitters in the leadoff spot following Turner's injury in September.

While Bryson Stott may be with the club for a few more years before he becomes a free agent in 2028, he has proven to be a solid second baseman.

This lineup scenario is just a bold dream. Signing Tucker, Schwarber and Realmuto would certainly create major buzz before and during spring training that the Phillies are going all-in and are aiming to be the National League representative in the 2026 World Series.