As spring nears, here's what Phils still need to address

This story was excerpted from the Phillies Beat newsletter, written this week by Paul Casella. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

PHILADELPHIA -- With Phillies pitchers and catchers set to report to Clearwater in just 15 days, it's time to pivot from asking questions about the offseason to asking questions about the 2026 season.

Though the Phils could still make some minor moves -- they would ideally like to add some starting pitching depth -- there likely isn't a major splash coming over the next few weeks.

“I think we're content where we are at this point,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said last week.

Of course, anything can happen if the right opportunity presents itself.

But with the Phillies' current roster likely pretty similar to the one that will report to Spring Training, let's take a look at the three biggest questions facing the club in 2026:

What should be expected from Justin Crawford?

Crawford will have to show enough in Spring Training to earn his spot, but every indication is the center-field job is his to lose. The Phillies won't fully commit to it just yet, but Dombrowski and manager Rob Thomson have both spoken openly about wanting Crawford to seize the opportunity this spring.

Barring an unexpected move between now and Opening Day, it's hard to envision a scenario in which the 22-year-old isn't patrolling center field at Citizens Bank Park on March 26 when the Phils open the season against the Rangers.

Crawford, the Phillies' No. 3 prospect and the No. 53 prospect overall per MLB Pipeline, was one of the top hitters across the Minors last year. He hit .334 with 23 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, 47 RBIs, 46 stolen bases and an .863 OPS with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

The two biggest concerns regarding Crawford are his high ground-ball rate offensively and his ability to handle center field defensively. The Phillies, though, believe that he will continue to find holes with his bat -- and their lack of any serious pursuit of a center fielder this offseason suggests they're confident he can stick in center.

“From everybody I've talked to, the makeup is really good, and the intangibles are really good,” Thomson said. “So if he makes the club, we're going to let him go, and we're going to let him play. And, hopefully, he has some success -- and we think he's going to.”

Though the Phillies won't be counting on Crawford to carry the load offensively, they could certainly use an offensive spark considering they've had one of the least productive outfields across the Majors the last few seasons.

When will Zack Wheeler be ready?

The Phillies, obviously, aren't going to rush Wheeler along this spring.

All reports this offseason are that his rehab from thoracic outlet decompression surgery is going well, but there's still a long way to go. At the time of his procedure on Sept. 23, the Phillies said the expected timeline for recovery was six to eight months. That would put the window between late March and late May.

As of last week, Wheeler was throwing from 90 feet on flat ground.

"I don't know where Wheeler's going to be at when we get to Spring Training," Thomson said last week. "He's up to 90 feet right now. He looks good, but there's no guarantees when he's going to get up on the mound."

Even if Wheeler gets on a mound soon and is close to ready when Spring Training starts, it's worth noting that he obviously didn't go through his normal offseason throwing program. So, expect the Phillies to bring him along slowly, especially if the other five potential starters -- Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker and Andrew Painter (Phillies' No. 1 prospect) -- are healthy.

Who will be in the Opening Day bullpen?

This will perhaps be the only real position "battle" this spring.

As it stands, it seems as if six of the eight spots in the Phillies' bullpen are accounted for: Right-handers Jhoan Duran, Brad Keller, Orion Kerkering and Jonathan Bowlan, and left-handers José Alvarado and Tanner Banks.

The Phils have a stockpile of candidates ready to compete for the other two spots. That list features plenty of newcomers -- including right-handers Chase Shugart, Zach Pop, Zach McCambley and Yoniel Curet, as well as left-hander Kyle Backhus -- and some returnees such as righties Nolan Hoffman, Seth Johnson and Max Lazar, among others.

Spring performance will obviously be the primary determinant, but there are other factors worth considering. For instance, while guys like Shugart and Backhus have Minor League options remaining, Pop is out of options -- which could give the latter an inside track to one of the spots. There’s also the fact that McCambley was a Rule 5 Draft pick, meaning he has to be offered back to the Marlins if he doesn’t make the Phillies’ roster.