The Philadelphia Phillies have had an underwhelming start to the offseason. It’s been rumored that the organization would like to shake things up heading into 2025, but the only notable move made so far was signing two-time All-Star closer Jordan Romano to a one-year deal.
The Phillies are coming off three consecutive playoff appearances, including a trip to the World Series in 2022. However, the team has regressed in the postseason each year since and the core is getting older.
Phillies fans want to see change. They feel that running the same team back in 2025 will not be enough. The Phillies have been linked to multiple high-profile free agents and trade targets this offseason, but nothing has come of it yet.
The Phillies' 2025 lineup looks much the same as it did in 2024
- DH Kyle Schwarber
- SS Trea Turner
- 1B Bryce Harper
- RF Nick Castellanos
- 3B Alec Bohm
- C J.T. Realmuto
- 2B Bryson Stott
- LF Brandon Marsh
- CF Johan Rojas
This was typically the Phillies’ everyday lineup in 2024 with tweaks depending on the opposing pitcher and the production from certain players in different spots in the order. The Phillies have one of the highest payrolls in Major League Baseball in large part because of this lineup. It’s a lineup that should produce at a high level, but it failed to meet expectations, especially in the second half of the season.
Even with this being the likely Opening Day lineup unless the club makes a big move, there are only four players locked into the lineup.
Kyle Schwarber put together an impressive all-around season at the plate in the leadoff spot in 2024. Trea Turner and Bryce Harper are signed to massive long-term contracts and will be locked into the lineup for years to come. Barring an injury, J.T. Realmuto will continue his duties as the everyday catcher.
Alec Bohm has been at the center of trade rumors this offseason, so unless a deal unfolds, he’ll remain the team’s starting third baseman. Bryson Stott struggled mightily at the plate this past season after a breakout 2023 season. The 27-year-old second baseman saw his playing time decrease with Edmundo Sosa, Kody Clemens, Weston Wilson and Buddy Kennedy getting opportunities at his position.
The biggest question mark on the Phillies roster heading into 2025 is the outfield. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski stated at the beginning of the offseason that the outfield situation is up in the air.
The Phillies have been linked to notable outfielders this offseason such as Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker, but they missed out on both players. Dombrowski will likely add another outfielder before the upcoming season, but the options are getting thin.
If the Phillies run the same lineup back in 2025, their approach at the plate must change. The Phillies were tied for the fifth-highest chase percentage and had the fifth-highest first-pitch swing percentage in the majors in 2024. They had the sixth-worst contact percentage on chased pitches.
The Phillies had an alarmingly high chase rate in the final months of the season that continued into the playoffs. A team with a lineup of their caliber shouldn’t consistently struggle that much at the plate.
With each passing day this offseason there’s growing concern that the Phillies will feature the same lineup in 2025, and fans don’t think it will be enough to compete with the league’s top contenders.