The Philadelphia Phillies are poised for one of the most active Novembers in their history. With the lockout swiftly approaching on December 1, free agents are expected to whiz off the board at record speed to avoid the constraints of a potential salary cap. Trades should become more frequent too, as MLB franchises miss out on their targeted free agents.
While media outlets and fans speculate about the potential moves the Phillies could make, some unlikely players have slipped through the cracks. We’re here to let you know that, unfortunately, superstars from across the league probably aren’t going to flock to Philadelphia.
Nevertheless, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has surprised us before. Even if these moves make no sense presently, perhaps a coinciding deal could create room for a player who doesn’t fit on the roster.
Yes, the Phillies will have to get creative to stay at the top of the National League pecking order, but these players and moves just don’t make any sense right now.
Seven trade targets and free agent who won't be on the Phillies in 2027
Yes, Acuna Jr. would be an excellent fit on the Phillies roster, but the Atlanta Braves will not be moving him this winter. Despite down years in 2022, 2024, and 2026, Acuna is the face of the Braves franchise. He has team options on a cheap contract in 2027 and 2028.
Were the Braves to trade him, it wouldn’t be to the Phillies—a division rival—who probably don’t even have the minor league assets to pull off that deal.
Jeffers would be a great fit on the Phillies roster. He’s a mediocre defender, but he’s the best-hitting catcher on the free-agent market. Unfortunately, the Phillies handed out a three-year deal to a guy called J.T. Realmuto in 2026, which has them hamstrung at catcher through 2028.
Neither Jeffers nor Realmuto would accept a backup role, and Domrbowski will be hard-pressed to find any team willing to take on Realmuto’s contract. As much as Jeffers would have been a great fit for the Phillies last year, he won't be a Phillie in 2027.
Busch is a great hitter, but not only is he left-handed, he’s also a first baseman. The Phillies have a surplus of both right now. In fact, manager Don Mattingly went on MLB Network on Friday to discuss the overstocked position.
Don Mattingly mentions that the Phillies will look to play Kyle Schwarber at first base 25-35 times a year to get Bryce Harper opportunities at DH ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/pXLEJhCC6L
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 5, 2026
He covered it during his post-season press conference as well, but the Phillies plan to have Schwarber play 25-35 games a year at first, in addition to Harper starting there. So trading for Busch just isn’t going to work.
Any front-line starting pitcher
We’re guilty of speculating on this too, but the Phillies probably won’t be signing any starting pitcher to more than a one-year depth deal. Their rotation is set for 2027, and four of the five starters have 10+5 rights, or trade assignment bonuses.
So, barring a deal that ships Andrew Painter out of town, you can probably write off Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, Kevin Gausman, and Clay Holmes, among others, as Phillies targets. As cool as it would be to watch the Phillies build a rotational Death Star, it’s just not feasible given the other holes on the roster.
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