The Phillies have key questions to answer before the 2027 season. They need to improve their bullpen, strengthen their outfield, and solidify their infield.
Some initial decisions to be made include: where Trea Turner will play in 2027, whether Stott will go back to second base, and whether Aidan Miller is ready for the big leagues.
Foremost, the Phillies need to acquire outfield help with Harper moving back to the infield. Given Brandon Marsh's second-half collapse, Justin Crawford's subpar rookie season, and the failure of the Adolis García experiment, the Phillies need to focus on overhauling their outfield.
The obvious choices to solve the Phillies' outfield on the market are Chicago Cubs' Seiya Suzuki or Seattle Mariners' Randy Arozarena, but both have a qualifying offer attached.
Infield depth, also a need, could be addressing by bringing back fan-favorite Edmundo Sosa.
However, Dave Dombrowski recent underwhelming moves have put a damper on free-agent chases. During the 2025 and 2026 offseasons, his outfield fixes were Max Kepler and Adolis Garcia, both unsuccessful signings. To fix the bullpen, he signed Jordan Romano and Brad Keller; neither of whom contributed as expected.
Based on his history, here are some targets Dombrowski might aim for:
OF Luis Robert
Dave Dombrowski has made a trend of signing reclamation project outfielders, hoping they can return to the form they maintained in their prime. Kepler had a below-average season. Garcia was horrible at the plate before his season-ending injury, and Whit Merrifield barely lasted three full months in Philadelphia.
The Mets took a shot on Luis Robert Jr. this season, acquiring him from the White Sox. Like many teams interested in trading for his services, New York hoped to get the 2021 or 2023 version of Robert.
Even with a change of scenery, Robert still struggled with health in 2026. He played just 61 games this season, hitting .221 with a .707 OPS. At the deadline, the Mets shipped him to the Baltimore Orioles. Robert only played three games in Baltimore.
The Phillies have been linked to Robert for years, and knowing Dombrowski's recent history, it wouldn't be shocking to see them explore Robert's market.
Dave Dombrowski has a history of signing outfield free agents to one-year deals
OF Lane Thomas
If the Phillies continue to explore the platoon market in the outfield, Lane Thomas could be another outfielder Philadelphia keeps their eye on.
Thomas had a similar year to Robert in 2026. He hit .224 with a .702 OPS last year, splitting time between the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves. He should be a relatively cheap option if Philadelphia decides to invest more money in the bullpen.
As a platoon bat, Thomas may be a perfect fit. The right-handed outfielder posted an .803 OPS and a 125 wRC+ against left-handed pitching this season, something the 2026 squad sorely lacked.
RHP Evan Phillips
The bullpen will be a major focus for the Phillies this offseason, following its last October implosion.
The Phillies had little confidence in their relief corps entering the postseason, sticking only with Alex McFarlane and Jhoan Duran in big spots. They had to rely on starters to get them through the middle innings during the Wild Card Series.
Evan Phillips has been a key piece in the Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen for several years. He has saved 44 games for Los Angeles since the 2023 season. Of course, Phillips will not be the ninth-inning guy in Philadelphia, but he could be a reliable setup man for Durán.
In 26 innings this past season, Phillips fanned 33 hitters and recorded a 3.46 ERA. Plus, he's never allowed an earned run in 18.1 postseason innings.
LHP JoJo Romero
The Phillies shipped JoJo Romero to the St. Louis Cardinals at the 2022 trade deadline to acquire Sosa. Now, Romero enters free agency due for a big payday.
Romero was solid all regular season, posting a 3.36 ERA, striking out 54 in 56.1 innings pitched across his time with St. Louis and eventual World Champion Milwaukee Brewers. It was the postseason, however, where Romero made his name.
He pitched several key innings for the Brewers in their quest for their first-ever World Series title, striking out 11 hitters while allowing just one run in 8.0 innings.
The Phillies are in dire need of a left-handed reliever; they had none they could count on come October. Yes, Tim Mayza re-signed after the season ended, but he's not cut out for high-leverage. Philadelphia has a clear need, and a reunion with their former fourth-round draft pick makes a ton of sense.
SS Ha-Seong Kim
With Edmundo Sosa hitting free agency, the Phillies are in need of a utility infielder, and Ha-Seong Kim is a signature Dave Dombrowski "bounceback" candidate.
Kim was one of MLB's worst hitters in 2026, sporting a slash line of just .116/.219/.140 and a 7 wRC+. Even his normally stellar defense took a hit; he's been worth -5 OAA since 2025.
Kim had a -1.2 fWAR this season in Atlanta, putting him among the worst players in baseball. With Trea Turner's future at shortstop uncertain, Philadelphia may need a player who can fill in there in a pinch.
Jim Salisbury reported that Kim is "on the Phillies radar." Philadelphia has Miller and Rincon on the cusp of the MLB, and would be better off bringing back Edmundo Sosa. Sosa has played the utility role at an elite level for the Phillies and should be a focus for the front office this offseason.
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