Phillies players who are most at-risk ahead of the MLB non-tender deadline

While we wait for the Major League Baseball offseason to get going, there are plenty of things happening to distract us from the quiet start to the free agent and trade markets. From the annual individual awards being handed out this week to roster deadlines, MLB and teams are still busy behind the scenes.

This Friday, Nov. 22 marks the MLB non-tender deadline. By 6 p.m. ET, all 30 teams must have their final decisions made about which players will be tendered contracts for the 2025 season — or not.

The Phillies have some decisions to make about which arbitration-eligible players will be tendered contracts. With a list of eight players eligible this winter (after pitcher Kolby Allard was already cut earlier this offseason), some are sure to be safe and offered contracts for next year.

Left-hander Ranger Suárez and third baseman Alec Bohm are due big raises, as projected by MLB Trade Rumors, but there's no way the Phillies will non-tender them. Second baseman Bryson Stott and outfielder Brandon Marsh should also be safe, both due modest raises to $3.5 million and $3 million, respectively.

The other four remaining arbitration-eligible Phillies are the ones most at risk of being non-tendered. Let's see where they stand as we barrel toward the deadline.

Phillies players who are most at-risk ahead of the MLB non-tender deadline

Edmundo Sosa, INF

As unlikely as it would be to see utility infielder Edmundo Sosa non-tendered, he's projected to make $2.5 million in arbitration. Sosa was a lifeline for the Phillies while Trea Turner was on the IL. It would be hard to imagine the Phillies bench without his steady defensive presence ready to go at a moment's notice.

The 28-year-old appeared in 90 games for the Phillies and slashed an impressive .284/.347/.514 against left-handed pitching. He wrestled playing time away from second baseman Bryson Stott after his six-week tour at shortstop ended. Overall, Sosa slashed .257/.313/.422 in 247 plate appearances

Of the players on the bubble, Sosa seems like the surest bet to be back on the Phillies bench next season.

Austin Hays, LF

Austin Hays didn't really get a fair shake with the Phillies to show what he can do. The hard-luck outfielder spent two extended stints on the IL after being acquired at the trade deadline, only making it into 22 games for the Phillies over the season's final two months. He slashed .256/.275/.397 with a pair of home runs and six RBI in 80 plate appearances.

Coming off a season in which he made $6.3 million, Hays is due for roughly the same in arbitration, with MLB Trade Rumors projecting him to earn $6.4 million in 2025. As unfair as it sounds, the Phillies might decide to cut their losses here as they try to upgrade the outfield this winter.

Garrett Stubbs, C

Always a lightning rod of controversy among Phillies fans, backup catcher Garrett Stubbs is another name who could be non-tendered this week. With the Phillies making it known that they plan to cut back J.T. Realmuto's playing time next year in the name of health, the front office might be looking for a new backup backstop to handle an increased workload.

The 31-year-old slashed just .207/.296/.262 in 187 plate appearances this year. Even his role as Chief Vibes Officer might not be enough for the Phillies to keep him around.

Coming off a 2024 salary of $850K, Stubbs projects to earn $1.2 million in arbitration this offseason. Of course, there's the argument that with one MiLB option remaining, the Phillies can just stash Stubbs in Triple-A as an emergency backup if they decide to give Rafael Marchán a shot next year.

José Ruiz, RHP

Signed to a minor league contract last offseason, José Ruiz turned out to be one of the Phillies' best pickups. The 30-year-old right-hander was added to the active roster in early May and, after an adjustment period, proceeded to lockdown a bullpen spot in the second half.

Ruiz posted a 1.99 ERA in 22 2/3 second-half innings, and a 3.71 ERA and 1.33 WHIP overall in 51 innings. He even got into some high-leverage situations late in the season, holding hitters to a .143/.188/.214 slash line while striking out five of the 16 batters he faced in those situations.

After making $800K in 2024, Ruiz is due a raise to $1.2 million. The Phillies will have to decide if they see him as a viable piece of the bullpen moving forward.

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