5 Things To Watch From The Phillies At The 2025 MLB Winter Meetings
Jul 25, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates with catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) after the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The stove is hot in the MLB offseason, and this week at the annual MLB Winter Meetings, this could be on fire.
The MLB offseason is one of the most interesting in sports, as there is no clear start or end date like other leagues. Free agents can elect to sign with teams five days after the World Series ends, but many can take anywhere from a week or three months after the World Series to decide where they want to spend their next season.
With that being said, there’s one week during the offseason where all teams meet in one place, called the MLB Winter Meetings. During this event, starting on Sunday and running through Wednesday, many teams meet with free agents and agents that attend, and speak with other teams in terms of what they’re looking for in trades and who’s available.
For the Phillies, this is a big week as they head into the 2026 season with many questions about their team still unknown. Nearly half of their starting lineup from last season are outright free agents this cycle, and on top of that, one of the team’s best starting pitchers will hit the open market as well. If the Phillies want any chance at getting back to the World Series, this feels like the offseason where it’s a make-or-break for this core group of guys.
Here are the things to watch heading into this week’s meetings:
Will A Deal For Kyle Schwarber Get Done?
Over the past year, the number one question with the Phillies was whether they would re-sign designated hitter Kyle Schwarber. Heading into 2025, the Phillies and Schwarber’s camp spoke about an extension for the 32-year-old that would keep him for the remainder of his prime. However, things fell through, and Schwarber went into the season on a one-year deal.
That decision backfired on the Phillies as Schwarber went out and posted the best season of his entire career, smashing 56 home runs and knocking in 132 RBI’s. His great season resulted in Schwarber finishing in second place in the National League MVP voting.
While Schwarber’s price tag has definitely increased compared to before last season, the Phillies have made it abundantly clear that they want to re-sign the left-hander, and multiple sources have reported that Schwarber would like to return to Philadelphia. So why hasn’t a deal been agreed to yet?
Well, Schwarber has received interest from multiple other teams, some of which can match what the Phillies can offer, and some due to the location. The Boston Red Sox have seemed to be the Phillies’ biggest threat in terms of monetary value, while the Cincinnati Reds are a threat, as Schwarber was a Reds fan growing up, and they’re interested in bringing the Schwarbarian back to Ohio. The New York Mets also seem to be in the mix.
Schwarber is seeking a five-year deal, and that seems to be the thing keeping a deal from being with the Phillies right now. If Dave Dombroski and co. break and offer Schwarber the fifth year, he’ll likely return to the team. If not, the Phillies may have to pivot.
Will The Phillies Pursue Other Top Free Agents If Schwarber Walks?
Speaking of pivoting, just because the Phillies want Schwarber back doesn’t mean they’ll get him, and in the case they don’t or want to go big, they have plenty of other options in terms of free agents. Kyle Tucker, Pete Alonso, Cody Bellinger, Alex Bregman, and Bo Bichette are the best hitters not named Schwarber, and the Phillies could target any one of those players.
Tucker seems like the odd one out due to the money that he projected to receive from some team reaching the mid $400 million. Bichette is also projected to sign a high-figure contract and doesn’t make the most sense in terms of position-wise for the Phillies right now, unless he’s willing to play third base.
That leaves Bregman, who was linked to the Phillies last year in free agency. Signing Bregman would require trades involving current third baseman Alec Bohm, but that scenario has been a possibility for a few seasons now. Alonso and Bellinger seem like the most likely options for the Phillies if Schwarber walks, and depending on their asking price, they could be an additional signing on top of Schwarber.
Both players could play first base for the Phillies, and that would allow Bryce Harper to go back to playing the outfield like he mentioned he would do if it was best for the team. Bellinger could also play the outfield and likely would if the Phillies sign him. Meetings with every player and the Phillies will likely happen this week, so we could see interest grow.
What Direction Will The Phillies Go For A Catcher?
While nothing is guaranteed in life, it seems like J.T. Realmuto will be back with the Phillies. Realmuto is seeking a two-year deal and is projected to receive around $16 million a year, and the Phillies will 100% pay that to keep the catcher in Philadelphia. That amount of money won’t kill them financially, and the product they’ve received from Realmuto is still top-tier.
However, the one thing that brings down the resigning of Realmuto is the age factor. Realmuto is 34, will be 35 when the season begins, and he isn’t getting younger. Realmuto is catching 5-6 times a week, and eventually his body is going to give out. So could the Phillies not sign Realmuto and instead trade for a new catcher?
That sounds easy, but at the same time, it isn’t. Names like Harry Ford from the Mariners and Adley Rutschman from the Orioles are young options that could be great for Philadelphia, but the Phillies would have to trade a significant amount of assets to acquire those players.
Signing Realmuto is using money, which the Phillies have plenty of, and it lets you use your trade assets for other needs. It would be shocking if Realmuto isn’t behind the dish for the Phillies in 2026, but plans could change depending on what happens at the meetings.
Will Nick Castellanos No Longer Be A Phillie?
Again, nothing is guaranteed, but something that’s well on its way to happening is the eventual divorce between the Phillies and Nick Castellanos. Back in October, while the postseason was still going on, Phillies writer Matt Gelb reported that Castellanos would likely be traded or released by the Phillies at some point in the offseason.
The only problem is that Castellanos is due $20 million for this upcoming season, causing many teams to avoid Castellanos in trade talks. If the Phillies are to trade Castellanos, they’ll likely have to eat the majority of his salary and give up some type of asset in return.
The Miami Marlins and the Pittsburgh Pirates are two teams that have been reported to have some interest in acquiring Castellanos, but a deal has not been agreed to yet. This situation is a matter of when, not if, it will happen, and with Dombrowski in the same place as fellow teams looking to make moves, Castellanos’ days as a Phillie could be dwindling.
Will The Phillies Trade Alec Bohm?
The Phillies are bound to make a trade, outside of a possible Castellanos deal, and a name that has been floated around since last offseason, and was mentioned by me early, Alec Bohm.
Bohm has had his ups and downs during his time in Philadelphia. From getting booed after making three errors and getting caught saying “I hate this f***ing place” on TV, to being the All-Star starting third baseman for the National League in 2024. Bohm has had quite the six years in Philadelphia.
While last season wasn’t a horrendous drop-off in terms of production from the third baseman, Bohm is set to be a free agent following the 2026 season. The 2026 free agency class of hitters isn’t the best in history, and Bohm will likely be a highly coveted player for teams.
The Phillies, knowing this and knowing they don’t want nor can they afford the amount Bohm will ask for. This has made him the expendable piece of the Phillies teams, and according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, it’s a 50-50 shot of whether Bohm gets moved.
It makes sense. The Phillies will get a decent return for Bohm and likely from positions that they need, like outfield, and if they want a replacement, top infield prospect Aidan Miller is nearly ready to make the jump to the Major Leagues.
Now the Phillies don’t have to trade Bohm. They could do what they did with Ranger Suarez (a name that likely won’t return to the Phillies next year) last season and play him out the year, offer him the Qualifying Offer, and if he accepts, he’s back, or he leaves, and the Phillies get a draft pick. As Passan has said, it’s a 50-50 shot whether he gets moved, but the vibes have seemed like Bohm has played his last game in pinstripes.
Matt Brown
Matt has been a Philadelphia sports fan all his life and spent four years at Penn State University majoring in Broadcast Journalism and minoring in Sports Studies. He previously covered Penn State’s field hockey, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball teams while writing for a Penn State blog called Onward State. He has now covered the Phillies, Eagles, and Sixers for Philly Sports Reports since October 2024 and wants to pursue a career in Sports Journalism.
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