The Phillies answered one big offseason question by re-signing slugging lefty DH Kyle Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million deal. But other questions remain -- including how the outfield will shape up in 2026.
With Nick Castellanos expected to be traded or released before next season and the team agreeing with free agent Adolis García on a one-year deal, Philadelphia will have some decisions to make about the outfield, particularly about center field. But the team has several potential solutions.
Here are four routes the Phillies can take to shore up the outfield before Opening Day.
1. Bring back Harrison Bader
The Phillies acquired Bader from the Twins in a Deadline deal on July 31, and he finished the season strong in Philadelphia. Bader hit .305 with an .824 OPS in 50 games with the Phils, finishing the season overall with 17 homers and 3.9 bWAR. By WAR, it was his best season since 2021 with the Cardinals (4.1). That led him to decline his portion of a $10 million mutual option and test free agency. After a few years plagued by injuries, Bader has played at least 143 games each of the past two seasons. Re-signing a healthy Bader could be a solid option for the Phillies, though the length of contract could be a sticking point if the team re-signs catcher J.T. Realmuto, which is said to be a priority.
2. Go bigger in free agency for CF
With the two-time defending NL East champs in win-now mode, Philadelphia may prefer to target a bigger bat for center field, assuming García and Brandon Marsh will patrol the corners. In our current context, that really just means luring lefty slugger Cody Bellinger, who would represent a significant upgrade at the position. Bellinger is coming off a bounce-back year in 2025, when he hit 29 homers and carried an .814 OPS for the Yankees while remaining an exceptional outfield defender. If the focus is on center field, that likely eliminates free agent Kyle Tucker, who hasn't played center since 2021.
3. Swing a trade with an eye toward CF
The trade market has a way of opening up scenarios nobody thinks possible until they happen. What could this look like in the Phillies' case? Hard to say. But suppose they find a way to get Byron Buxton from the Twins. Adding one of the most talented overall players in the game would obviously pay big dividends. Now the cold water: The Twins are unlikely to trade Buxton, according to multiple reports. Still, the chance of a trade is not zero. Apart from Buxton, other attractive outfield bats who could be traded and may be a fit for the Phillies in center include Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox and Jarren Duran of the Red Sox.
4. Put Justin Crawford out there
It might be time. Crawford, the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, seems ready for the Majors, given his 2025 production at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The lefty-hitting speedster hit .334 with an .863 OPS and 46 stolen bases in 112 games. In four seasons across five Minor League levels, Crawford has hit .322 with an .831 OPS. It's certainly not hard to imagine him roaming the outfield at Citizens Bank Park in 2026. He's been groomed as a center fielder, but could also be used in the corners. If Crawford's part of the Phillies' Opening Day lineup, he'll immediately become an NL Rookie of the Year favorite.