The Philadelphia Phillies’ outfield was a travesty in 2026, but their bench was home to its few bright spots. Under-the-radar pickups Bryan De La Cruz and Derek Hill were fantastic in semi-regular playing time, and both are under team control next season. While the two players were solid contributors this past year, the Phillies would be wise not to lock themselves into giving both outfielders roster spots for the upcoming season.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has struggled to put together a complete outfield during his six years at the helm, and this past season saw plenty of dysfunction. Brandon Marsh imploded after an All-Star first half. Justin Crawford was merely adequate in his rookie season. Adolis García and various spare parts were a black hole in right field until first baseman Bryce Harper came to the rescue.
Neither Hill nor De La Cruz began the year in Philadelphia, but both made massive impacts once they arrived. Hill came over in a minor trade with the Chicago White Sox in June, following García’s season-ending injury, while De La Cruz was signed to a minor-league deal last November and didn’t make it to the Major League roster until he exercised an opt-out clause in July.
In 67 games with the Phillies, Hill slashed .261/.296/.487 with a bevy of clutch hits and Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field. De La Cruz was similarly solid, with a .280/.349/.413 line across 34 games in red pinstripes, splitting his time between right and left field. Both players arrived at the perfect time, as Hill was able to shore up center field alongside Crawford, while De La Cruz spelled Marsh as he faded down the stretch.
It was wonderful to have both Hill and De La Cruz as life preservers in 2026, but Dombrowski should be skeptical about whether or not both guys can be dependable options heading into next season. Hill is a lifetime .232/.281/.372 hitter across 841 career plate appearances with just 52 extra-base hits. Entering his age-30 season, should he really be expected to keep up his career-best production? De La Cruz is a similar story, with a .251/.295/.402 line across 1,872 plate appearances heading into 2026.
The Phillies shouldn't keep both Hill and De La Cruz in 2027
That’s not to say that either player is useless or doesn’t deserve consideration by the Phillies moving forward. However, both are out of minor-league options and therefore would need to be carried on the Major League roster all season or be exposed to waivers.
Crawford is most likely staying put as the quasi-everyday center fielder unless he winds up packaged in a trade. Rumors have swirled that Marsh could end up on the trade block as he enters his final season before free agency. However, it’s hard to imagine Dombrowski would part with a talented, if flawed, player like Marsh were he not getting back another capable outfield bat to replace him. And then there is whichever outside addition (or perhaps even two) that Dombrowski picks up.
Thus, there are more than likely three outfielders already ticketed for the 2027 roster in Crawford, Marsh/his replacement, and a free agent acquisition. Holding onto both Hill and De La Cruz would tie up five roster spots with outfield-only players. Considering most clubs carry four bench players, that would leave just a backup catcher and one infielder on the bench.
That lack of flexibility is a steep price to pay to keep two guys coming off nice partial seasons but with dodgy track records. Dombrowski and company should decide which one suits their needs best and commit to him as the fourth outfielder moving forward, thanking the other one for his service on the way out the door.
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