With only five weeks remaining in the 2024 MLB regular season, attention is turning to the playoffs and the offseason. How the Philadelphia Phillies do this postseason will dictate how they aim to improve their roster this winter.
The overall core of the group that has been with the team for multiple seasons has been in a funk since July. The trade deadline is meant to add players to an already established and effective roster. The front office missed out on acquiring some players who have been playing very well since debuting with their new teams.
If Philadelphia does not win a World Series and has an early playoff exit such as losing in the NL Wild Card or Divisional Series, there could be repercussions leading to changes with the roster and coaching staff this winter. It will resemble further regression since the club unexpectedly made the 2022 World Series.
The Phillies outfield has been inconsistent offensively during the regular season. If the organization does not go on a deep playoff run and the group struggles to hit regularly in the postseason, expect the front office to make changes there this offseason.
Phillies picked as a fit for slugging free agent outfielder Anthony Santander this offseason
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand wrote a piece ranking the league's top 10 free agents in 2025. Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander is ranked sixth. The Phillies is one of three clubs Feinsand lists as a suitor for Santander.
Feinsand writes that the Orioles have several young outfielders which makes the possibility of Santander departing the franchise likely this offseason. The Margarita, Venezuela native became an All-Star for the first time this year.
With a career-high 38 home runs this season, he fits the mold of the typical power hitter who resembles Phillies' designated hitter Kyle Schwarber. Santander has a slash line of .235/.302/.519 in 126 contests. Despite his power, he has finished with 100+ strikeouts in the last three seasons and has 105 in 2024.
Santander has primarily played in right field during his eight-year career in the majors, all with the Orioles. He has played in 489 games at this position, 130 as a designated hitter, 90 in left field, 24 in center and 12 at first base.
Santander brings a veteran, power-heavy approach to the plate
Santander recently hit a grand slam in the late innings of the Orioles' game against the Astros on Aug. 23 that put Baltimore ahead and sealed the win in their favor. According to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde commented on Santander's poise following the grand slam.
"It really was so exciting and the stadium, that was as loud as it’s been this year I think," Hyde said, per Kubatko. "Those kind of situations, we have as a club tried to do way too much and try to get the big hit and Tony’s just got a ton of confidence because of his experience and doesn’t let the game get too fast for him. So he’s able to take good at-bats in those kinds of situations."
If the Phillies were to sign Santander this winter, fans should expect plenty of home runs and strikeouts from the 29-year-old outfielder. He posted a career-high 41 doubles in 2023. His 95 RBI last year are also the most of his career to date. The power hitter has 86 this year and is on pace to set another career high for the second consecutive season in RBI.
The fanbase has grown accustomed to witnessing plenty of homers and punchouts from Philly's lineup. Aside from the negatives he has as a hitter, Santander seems like he would fit in well playing at Citizens Bank Park.