The Major League Baseball offseason is in full swing as free agency began on Thursday. Not only can teams sign players, but they can also make trades again. The Philadelphia Phillies are at the center of free agent and trade rumors, including Los Angeles Angels outfielders Jo Adell and Taylor Ward.
The Phillies have had success over the last four years, including a trip to the World Series in 2022, but they lost in the NLDS in back-to-back seasons.
They must shake up the roster heading into 2026, despite what president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said during his end-of-season press conference. The outfield could be a good starting point.
Phillies linked to Angels' outfield trade chips Jo Adell and Taylor Ward
One of the Phillies’ biggest weaknesses in 2025, despite a hot end to the season, was the outfield. The outfield has more questions than answers heading into 2026 and could be even more of a problem if not properly addressed this offseason.
Harrison Bader declined his mutual option for 2026, joining Max Kepler as a free agent. Nick Castellanos’ time with the Phillies is reportedly all but over, as a trade or release is expected this offseason.
The Angels may have the solution to the Phillies’ outfield uncertainty. The Angels will reportedly listen to trade offers on outfielders Jo Adell and Taylor Ward, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.
"The Los Angeles Angels, I would say a better than 50/50 chance that they move one of their significant veteran outfielders, Jo Adell or Taylor Ward," Morosi said. " ... and I'll mention one team in particular, the Philadelphia Phillies. We know [Nick] Castellanos probably will get moved. Alec Bohm could get traded. Kyle Schwarber's a free agent, a lot of moving parts there with the Phillies. Harrison Bader is now a free agent too, so the outfield there with Philly very much a work in progress. I could easily see an Angels-Phillies move involving one of those outfielders."
The Angels will listen to offers for Jo Adell or Taylor Ward, as I discussed with @LaurenShehadi this morning on @MLBNetwork.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 5, 2025
The Phillies are among the possible trade partners. https://t.co/c9L9pY0Zpe
The Angels finished last in the AL West in 2025 and haven’t made the playoffs since 2014. The team could benefit from a rebuild after landing at No. 27 in MLB.com’s midseason farm system rankings and having no real direction moving forward.
Adell and Ward are two of the Angels’ realistic trade pieces that could net them a good enough return. Ward hit a career-high 36 home runs and 103 RBIs in 2025, while Adell finally broke out with 37 home runs and 98 RBIs.
Ward is the likelier trade candidate since he’ll be 32 years old in 2026 and will be a free agent after the season. Adell offers more potential as a former top prospect and is just 26 years old with two more years of club control.
Adell and Ward are both right-handed hitters and best suited in a corner outfield spot. With Kepler and Castellanos likely gone this offseason, the Phillies would have an immediate need at both left and right field.
One name to watch in trade talks with the Angels is Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm. The 29-year-old has been the subject of trade rumors and could be an option for the Phillies to move in a deal rather than a package of prospects.