The 2025 Philadelphia Phillies offseason was unfamiliar previous to years past. The usual big market, high-spending Phillies took a more mellow approach this year, with payroll continuing to be on the rise. With pitchers and catchers now in camp, the Phillies have hope and will look to work out the finer details of the roster, per Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
The club has improved with money well spent in previous offseasons and is still riding that spending to date. Even with limited spending, there's a case to be made that the 2025 version of the Phillies could be the best yet. Their core stars are coming back looking to redeem themselves from poor play down the stretch last season and are still young enough to contend at a high level.
The team did still bring in pieces like closer Jordan Romano, outfielder Max Kepler and reliever Joe Ross to heave the club into playoff contention once again. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski also worked his magic to acquire starter Jesús Luzardo from the Miami Marlins to anchor an already stacked starting rotation.
A big question still remains with the lineup. Phillies manager Rob Thomson has been loyal to a specific approach but could benefit greatly with a few adjustments. He has alluded to change coming, and the team might be getting exactly that in spring training. Given the recent addition to the lineup, here's what the 2025 Phillies Opening Day lineup could look like with a different twist on the slugger-heavy lineup.
Phillies 2025 Opening Day lineup prediction 2.0
1. Trea Turner SS
2. Bryce Harper 1B
3. Alec Bohm 3B
4. Kyle Schwarber DH
5. Nick Castellanos RF
6. J.T. Realmuto C
7. Bryson Stott 2B
8. Max Kepler LF
9. Brandon Marsh CF
The Phillies have utilized Kyle Schwarber in the leadoff spot ever since he signed with the team in 2022. The unconventional style worked, and the team responded well. Schwarber has been open to the idea of switching his spot in the batting order and the Phillies should take advantage to lengthen the lineup. Trea Turner has been the obvious choice to take the leadoff role, with Thomson looking to execute the plan during spring training.
Turner and Bryce Harper could feel like the natural 1-2 punch atop the lineup with their elite bat-to-ball skills. Schwarber could slide into the cleanup role behind Alec Bohm and force more pitches to the top hitters before getting to Schwarber. He's more of the traditional cleanup hitter, but Schwarber also proved worthy against left-handed pitching in 2024, hitting a clean .300 batting average.
Having Bryson Stott and Nick Castellanos slightly lower in the batting order gives them a chance to prove themselves with the upside of moving further up if proven they can deliver. The bottom three of J.T. Realmuto, Kepler and Brandon Marsh could interchange depending on matchups or if Realmuto has a day off.
The pieces of the Phillies 2025 lineup appear to be mostly set as spring training begins, barring injury. Most of the lineup consists of the same group, with the addition of Kepler to the outfield. On paper, the lineup is lethal, and with Schwarber willing to move from the leadoff spot, a lot can open up with this offense. The team performed for most of last year. Now it's time to find one or more lineup approaches that can carry this team all season and postseason.