The Philadelphia Phillies have faith in their star-studded lineup to produce offensively, a fact that was reinforced when the club's signing of Max Kepler was essentially the only way that they tried to bolster their offense this past offseason. But here we are just over 10 percent of the way into the 2025 MLB season, and it's already glaringly obvious when you look at sore spots like the struggles of Brandon Marsh that the team's outfield is subpar and will need some kind of jolt sooner or later.
This makes it all the more unfortunate that top potential trade target/offseason signing Kyle Tucker is rumored to be circling around an extension with the Chicago Cubs. This does not bode well for the Phillies in either the short- or long-term.
Phillies' outfield is even more concerning if Kyle Tucker extension rumors come true
Looking at it optimistically, the season is so young that players like Kepler and Marsh should probably be given the benefit of the doubt and try to work through any struggles for several more weeks, if not months. And Nick Castellanos, his recent platinum sombrero game aside, has actually been fairly productive so far in this young campaign. He's the classic "he is who he is" player, and his contract that runs through next year will likely keep him anchored in right field. It's not an issue right now, but things could take a drastic turn if Casty hits the skids before Kepler and/or Marsh turn things around.
The problem is exacerbated even further when Johan Rojas enters the chat. After looking like a potential breakout candidate thanks to his performance in the Dominican Winter League, Rojas has looked anything but so far for the Phillies in 2025. He probably needs more playing time to work out his issues, but it's something that the Phillies might not be able to afford to do at the moment with other players struggling so much.
The team might have some contingency plans in the outfield, although they aren't particularly appealing ones at this time. Weston Wilson may join a platoon situation once he returns from injury, and the team will have to weigh the pros and cons of giving Edmundo Sosa more time in the outfield. But these are all small potatoes until we circle back to the big picture.
It remains to be seen how willing the Phillies might be to promote Justin Crawford this season, but the outfield will need some help soon regardless. Kyle Tucker is the big prize here, but any and all rumblings about him possibly sticking around in Chicago may create even more of a sense of urgency for the Phillies (and other interested teams, for that matter.)
Shrinking the market for viable outfielders by removing the biggest game-changer would cause the Phillies to glance further down their list of potential targets. We saw how it worked with Austin Hays last year; perhaps something similar would be in order in 2025? It's not an exciting prospect.
Kyle Schwarber becomes much more valuable if Tucker goes off the market
Further, this makes the situation for 2026 and beyond even more tenuous, as Tucker represents the best alternative for the team going forward if they were to dare to let Kyle Schwarber walk after this season. Now, perhaps, not so much.
If Tucker were to fall out of the mix, Schwarber would likely become the most sought-after outfielder in free agency next offseason, thus putting the Phillies over a barrel and at his mercy. And while it certainly seems like Schwarber would be amenable to signing a new contract, the rest of the 2025 season will go a long way towards dictating whether that would be a smart move for the Phils. I also realize full well that Schwarber is an outfielder in the loosest sense of the term these days, but potentially removing him would create a domino effect where DH at-bats might heavily fall to Castellanos, driving down the team's offensive output from their outfielders even more. Smart money says that the Phillies re-unite with Schwarber beyond this season, but anything can happen.
It's too early to determine whether the team will address their glaring outfield need in-season via a trade for Tucker/some other difference-maker or if they will seek to do so over the offseason. As we all know, the bigger the swing, the more the team will have to give up. This could have a very real impact on how the team does business via either a trade or opening the Middleton family vault over the offseason. Tucker would be the logical target for the Phillies, a bona fide superstar who can instantly lift the lineup, but he may not be attainable if recent rumors are to be believed.
This situation may resolve soon, or it may drag all the way into the winter. It's still only April, but it certainly seems that the Phillies lineup needs improving somehow. Some of that can come internally, but it's looking increasingly apparent that they'll need to reach out and make some sort of move. Kyle Tucker would be just what the doctor ordered, but if he's not available, the team will have to pivot with something meaningful and not just a Band-Aid solution.