The Philadelphia Phillies already made a splash with the Adolis García signing, but their winter work isn’t close to done. The front office now has its sights set on two things: a right-handed platoon bat to protect against left-handed pitching, and some low-cost rotation depth to survive Zack Wheeler’s early-season absence. All this, of course, while trying to dodge the worst of the luxury tax and dealing with the increasingly tangled Nick Castellanos situation.
Phillies Outfield Picture Mostly Set — With One Key Missing Piece
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski says the outfield’s broad strokes are set. With García locked into right and Brandon Marsh penciled into left, the club wants to give top prospect Justin Crawford a real shot in center field.
But there’s still a hole in that group, especially when opposing managers throw left-handed pitching at them.
Why the Phillies Need a Right-Handed Platoon Bat
The Phillies aren’t chasing a right-handed hitter just for fun. Their current outfield mix shows some glaring weaknesses. Both Marsh and Crawford bat left-handed, and the numbers against southpaws are honestly rough.
Marsh has struggled against lefties for most of his career, so his value leans heavily toward facing right-handed pitching. Crawford hasn’t seen much left-handed pitching in the minors, and his small-sample success there isn’t enough to convince anyone he’s ready to face MLB lefties every day.
The front office wants a specific profile: a right-handed bat who can handle a platoon role, take some starts in the outfield, and give them competitive at-bats against left-handed pitching.
The Refsnyder Template and Free-Agent Targets
Dombrowski and his group are eyeing someone like Rob Refsnyder — a pro who can pick up selective starts, grind out tough plate appearances, and do some damage against lefties without needing to play every day.
Here are a few free agents who fit the bill, and the Phillies have reportedly checked in on several:
None of these players are headliners, but that’s not what the Phillies want. They’re after a specialist who fills a need, fits the clubhouse, and doesn’t mess up the roster or payroll.
The Nick Castellanos Dilemma
On paper, the Phillies already have exactly what they’re looking for. Nick Castellanos has historically mashed left-handed pitching and, even in 2024, looked like a strong matchup weapon in those spots.
The problem is that the paper and the present just don’t match up anymore.
Performance Decline and Frayed Relationships
Castellanos’ 2025 season was a step backward, statistically and otherwise. His production dropped, and that chipped away at the offensive value that once justified his contract.
Even more troubling, he and manager Rob Thomson reportedly aren’t seeing eye-to-eye — not great for a player owed serious money and holding a big clubhouse presence.
Despite Castellanos being set to earn $20 million next season, the Phillies seem ready to move on. That could mean a trade where they eat a big chunk of the salary, or maybe even an outright release if it comes to that.
It’s wild, honestly, how willing the front office seems to be to take the financial hit. Instead of hoping for a rebound, they look ready to carry the dead money and then spend around $5 million on a new right-handed platoon bat — even with that luxury-tax penalty looming over every extra dollar.
Rotation Depth Without Long-Term Commitments
The Phillies’ pitching plans are tricky. They need help, but they don’t want to block their own prospects. With Zack Wheeler expected to start the season on the injured list after surgery, there’s a clear short-term hole in the rotation.
For now, here’s how the tentative rotation lines up:
Protecting Andrew Painter’s Path
The centerpiece is Andrew Painter, the organization’s prized young arm. His 2025 stint at Triple-A looked rough on the surface, but most of the damage came from a weird spike in home runs — the kind of thing teams often chalk up to randomness or growing pains, not a real flaw.
Because Painter has so much upside, the Phillies are steering clear of multi-year contracts for starting pitching. They don’t want to put a veteran roadblock in front of a potential ace. Instead, they’re looking to add short-term depth — swingmen, non-roster invitees, or one-year back-end types who can soak up innings until Wheeler returns and Painter settles in.
Luxury Tax Pressure and a “Targeted Tweaks” Offseason
Money drives just about every decision in Philly these days. As repeat luxury-tax payors, the Phillies face a steep surcharge on every new commitment.
Ownership isn’t exactly slamming the checkbook shut, but every move has to be sharp, maybe even a little nervy.
Expect this front office to:
They’re not rebuilding, and it’s definitely not a full reset. This is a contender trying to thread the needle—trimming around the edges, moving on from a fading star, and putting real faith in the player-development pipeline.
Here is the source article for this story: Phillies Notes: Outfield, Castellanos, Rotation
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