The Philadelphia Phillies weren't expected to change much this offseason because of their payroll this year and the players they wanted to re-sign. Considering the fluke plays that played a part in the Phillies' playoff series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, in the end-of-season press conference, the impression that the team president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski hinted at was that the core would remain the same again for this year. Well, that is what has happened.
Jim Bowden, MLB insider and contributor for The Athletic, recently handed out offseason grades and predictions for the 2026 season (subscription required). He gave the Phillies an unsurprising grade for the organization's winter.
Phillies receive predictably underwhelmingly offseason grade from The Athletic
Bowden awarded the Phillies a C+ for their offseason, which was predictable. Two of their three key free agents, Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, were both re-signed as expected. The other, Ranger Suárez, signed with another club, inking a five-year deal with the Boston Red Sox.
The Phillies missed out on adding Bo Bichette. Their preference not to include player opt-outs in their contracts, combined with their lack of payroll flexibility to offer short-term contracts to any top free agents, worked against them in this case. They certainly would've received a higher offseason grade from Bowden, and the fans, had they signed the infielder.
Dombrowski chose not to make any substantial additions to Philadelphia's outfield, which has been an issue for the club during the past few seasons. Re-signing Schwarber and Realmuto played a part in the lack of any major signings that would've improved the outfield.
Dombrowski added Adolis García on a one-year, $10 million contract to be the new right fielder. The team is hoping prospect Justin Crawford can earn the Opening Day center field job, as they've expressed confidence in him.
Phillies facing multiple areas of concern heading into 2026
One question Bowden poses is whether the Phillies have kept their core group together too long. This concern is one of the factors that led him to predict that Philadelphia will finish in third place in the NL East this year.
It's certainly a valid point and is up for debate. Has the organization kept the core together too long, considering they've yet to win a World Series with this group and the ages of their top players? Since making the Fall Classic in 2022 as an underdog, they've been unable to get back there, even as favorites.
Other uncertainties facing the Phillies in 2026, according to Bowden, that could impact them surround their starting rotation. Will Zack Wheeler and top prospect Andrew Painter be able to stay healthy? Wheeler's season ended prematurely due to venous thoracic outlet syndrome. His availability for Opening Day is in doubt, and it will take him some time to regain his previous elite form, if he can get back there at all. He will also turn 36 at the end of May.
"I just don't know what I'm getting with Zack Wheeler."
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 2, 2026
The questions surrounding the Phillies starting rotation are a big reason why @JimBowdenGM has them ranked third in the NL East.
Do you agree? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/noHdVCdS4C
Last season was Painter's first season pitching in the minors since 2022 after Tommy John surgery. He had an inconsistent year, totaling a 5-8 record with a 5.26 ERA and 1.49 WHIP with 123 strikeouts and 47 walks in 26 starts. The Phillies are counting on him to pick up the slack following Suárez's departure, which may affect the middle to end of their rotation more than the team anticipated as the season progresses.
Bowden also poses another question: Will Aaron Nola be able to rebound as well following an uncharacteristic, injury-plagued 2025 season? In assessing the other concerns surrounding the starting rotation, Nola rebounding from a bad year would help out a lot.
Despite his contract, Nola's not an elite pitcher. However, he's capable of performing like a No. 2 starter. That is what the organization expects of him, and he was far from that last year.
Nola pitching well with Wheeler working his way back to form and Painter adjusting to the majors would take pressure off Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo to carry the rotation in the early part of the year. However, Nola typically does not start the first month of the regular season well, which creates more concerns about how effective the starting rotation will be early.
The Phillies' multiple roster concerns, coupled with a run-of-the-mill offseason, influenced Bowden's average offseason grade and predicted division finish in 2026. Everything may end up working out, but the club has issues it hasn't had in previous years.