When MLB.com recently came out with their list of offseason winners, there were actually quite a few teams that ended up making the distinguished list. However, Philadelphia Phillies fans are likely upset that Philadelphia didn’t do more to be one of those teams, despite the various moves that they have made this winter.
Their omission from the winners list comes as no surprise after the Phillies' pursuit of star shortstop Bo Bichette ended in disappointment.
But that’s not to say that the Phillies haven't had a productive offseason. After all, they did manage to re-sign slugger Kyle Schwarber to a massive five-year deal worth $150 million, as well as star catcher J.T. Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million contract. Both players could provide a huge impact on the Phillies' success going forward, given what they have accomplished with the club over the past few seasons.
Phillies could have been an 'offseason winner' by landing Bo Bichette
However, in order to “win” an offseason, you need to make moves that would significantly improve the ballclub from the previous year. In the case for the Phillies, running it back with the same players that they already had practically keeps the team in status quo, rather than becoming that much better.
In taking a look at the moves that Philadelphia made beyond returning personnel, the only notable ones that stand out include the signing of free agent outfielder Adolis García and high-leverage reliever Brad Keller.
Had the García addition happened in 2023, when García was in his All-Star elite form, putting up 108 runs scored, 39 home runs, and 107 RBIs, then we would be talking about a massive upgrade for the Phillies. However, the 32-year-old veteran has been a shell of his former self over the past two seasons, compiling just a .225 average and .675 OPS while averaging just 63 runs scored, 22 home runs, and 80 RBIs over that time frame. As a result, Garcia will be attempting to rediscover his dominant form with the Phillies this coming season, putting his potential impact up in the air.
But had Philadelphia landed Bichette, that in itself would have been enough to make the Phillies winners this winter. After all, the 27-year-old star shortstop has been an elite offensive producer throughout his MLB career, aside from his injury-plagued 2024 campaign. With the ability to register 20+ home runs, 100+ runs scored and 100+ RBIs per season while batting close to .300, in addition to coming through often in the clutch, Bichette would have boosted the Phillies' lineup substantially.
But instead, Philadelphia has been forced to watch both 2025 World Series finalists Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays beef up their rosters with huge acquisitions this winter, landing them on the winners list as a result. Not only that, the division rival New York Mets also made the list with their worrisome big additions that included the stealing of Bichette.
To round out the list, the now playoff-worthy Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles have cleverly retooled their rosters, while even the lesser lights in the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox were given recognition for their great work this offseason.
Philadelphia still has some time left to finish off this offseason with a bang to give themselves a legitimate shot at competing with the clubs that significantly amped up their rosters. But if nothing ends up materializing in the coming weeks, the Phillies and their fans will have to painfully accept their lackluster offseason showing instead.