PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies have so many things they need to do before Opening Day. It’s difficult to say where they should start.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski offered insight into the team’s offseason plans on Tuesday at the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas. Dombrowski spoke at length with reporters in attendance, including NBC Sports Philadelphia.
The Phillies’ top offseason priority
Is it a right-handed, middle-of-the-order bat? Is it a setup man? Is it something else? Dombrowski said that it depends on finances and the cost of players.
“I will say one thing: We have to have an outfielder,” Dombrowski said. “Right now, we don't have an outfielder. But is that more important than some other things? I guess it depends upon who that outfielder is.”
Right now, the Phillies’ outfield includes Justin Crawford and Derek Hill in center field and Brandon Marsh and Bryan De La Cruz in left. Phillies outfielders had a combined .686 OPS in 2026, which ranked 26th in baseball. Their cleanup hitters had a .645 OPS, which ranked 29th. A free agent like Seiya Suzuki or Randy Arozarena could help, although they would not come cheap. And do the Phillies want to add another player in their 30s to a multiyear deal? Suzuki is 32. Arozarena turns 32 on Feb. 28.
“We have a lot of high-end salary players, and they're not young, they're not old,” Dombrowski said. “But they're in that age bracket that you have to make a decision. We maybe have enough high-end players, and you mean to complement them with other players overall. That's a decision we have to make. But I'm not necessarily looking for our club to continue to get older, so you kind of factor all those things in and make a decision.”
The Phillies need a utility infielder. NBC Sports Philadelphia reported on Monday that the club has interest in free agent Ha-Seong Kim. Dombrowski said the Phillies also need bullpen help, particularly a left-handed reliever. He said he likes his right-handed relievers, like Alex McFarlane and Jonathan Bowlan. Brad Keller could return from elbow surgery in the final two months of the 2027 season. Starting pitching depth is another focus.
The Phillies had a payroll around $330 million in 2026. Dombrowski wouldn’t say if his 2027 payroll will approach that.
“We have some flexibility in all things,” Dombrowski said.
It’s Miller time
Phillies No. 2 prospect Aidan Miller (No. 59 overall) has a real chance to make the Opening Day roster, which makes sense. If the Phillies need to commit their financial resources to acquire an outfielder, bullpen help and more, a rookie playing every day in the infield could help them accomplish those goals.
“He’s not being anointed the position, but I also think he has a heck of a chance to make our club in the spring,” Dombrowski said. “I think that, as it stands, that would be very helpful for us to have that consideration. And frankly, I'm hoping he does. I'm not giving it to him, but I'm hoping that he does.”
Trea’s focus is shortstop
Dombrowski issued a mandate to Trea Turner after the season: Play a better shortstop or you’re changing positions. Dombrowski said Turner is focusing only on shortstop this offseason. He is not working at other positions.
If Turner doesn’t play like the Phillies want, Dombrowski said Miller, Bryson Stott or No. 4 prospect Bryan Rincon could see time at shortstop.
“Hopefully we don’t have to use any of them,” Dombrowski said. “Hopefully, it works with him.”
Marchán is Realmuto’s backup for now
Garrett Stubbs is a free agent, leaving J.T. Realmuto and Rafael Marchán as the only catchers on the 40-man roster. For now, the Phillies are moving forward with Marchán as Realmuto’s backup.
Like with Miller, if the Phillies move forward with Marchán as the backup catcher, it could allow the Phillies to spend money elsewhere to fill bigger holes on the roster.
“Those are the decisions we just have to make: Do we find somebody?” Dombrowski said. “We could easily find somebody that we thought was better from an offensive perspective, but they wouldn't give us the defense. And like we said, we've emphasized the defense.”