It would be surprising to see the Philadelphia Phillies make a big splash in the outfield at this point of the offseason. Their outfield is just about set for 2026. They've told us as much, anyway.
But even if Adolis García's $10 million deal ends up being their biggest outfield addition this winter, as he takes over right field, there's still a chance that they make a minor signing to reinforce what has been a black hole of a position group for the last couple of seasons.
The latest reports indicate that the Phillies are kicking the tires on veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk (subscription required), according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon.
"The Phillies could use a right-handed bat to platoon in left field with Brandon Marsh, and Randal Grichuk is among those in whom they are showing interest," per Rosenthal and Sammon.
Veteran Randal Grichuk would give Phillies an experienced right-handed bat to pair with Brandon Marsh in left field
They sure could use someone to platoon with Brandon Marsh. The left-handed-hitting Marsh is penciled in as the Phillies' left fielder for 2026, hopefully in the platoon role against right-handed pitching.
But seeing manager Rob Thomson trot Marsh out against left-handed pitching is not what fans want. Adding the 34-year-old Grichuk would settle the left field situation for the upcoming season. While the 2025 season was a struggle all around for the former first-round pick, Grichuk has previously shown the ability to scorch left-handed pitching.
In 293 plate appearances in 2025, split between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals, Grichuk hit just .228 with a .674 OPS. Against lefties, he hit just .227, but that was after hitting over .300 against southpaws from 2022 through 2024. In fact, in 2024, Grichuk mashed left-handed pitching with a .319 average and .913 OPS in 184 plate appearances.
Right now, based on their personnel, it looks like the Phillies intend to let a handful of internal options fight it out for that left field platoon job.
Otto Kemp might have the inside track. Weston Wilson will get one more spring training to make an argument to stay in Philadelphia. There's also prospect Gabriel Rincones Jr. who might get a look at some point in 2026. And then there's minor-league signing Bryan De La Cruz who has done everything right in his Dominican Winter League stint.
Adding a 12-year veteran like Grichuk would provide the Phillies with some extra depth not just in left field, but in all three outfield positions. By all accounts, prospect Justin Crawford has the center field job to begin the season. The Phillies might like some insurance behind him (not just Johan Rojas) in case things go south.