After another rough postseason exit, the Philadelphia Phillies, specifically president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, could use a blockbuster move to kick off their offseason spending.
With some of the team’s most notable signings having happened at MLB’s Winter Meetings, fans are hoping that Dombrowski can work some of his front office magic and make something happen this year. In 2019, the Phillies signed Zack Wheeler to a five-year, $118 million contract. In 2022, they signed Trea Turner to an 11-year, $300 million contract after the World Series loss to the Houston Astros.
A move during the Winter Meetings, which kick off this Sunday in Orlando, Florida, that could allow the Phillies to catch up to other big market competitors, like the Los Angeles Dodgers and American League champion Toronto Blue Jays.
Phillies need to commit to a blockbuster move at MLB Winter Meetings
If the front office is as serious as they’ve been saying about re-signing both veteran backstop J.T. Realmuto and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, then there’s no better time than the present to sign at least one of them in Orlando next week.
Both of the Phillies’ major free agents are getting significant interest from elsewhere. These few days in Florida, where the team can speak in person with agents, should allow them to make some substantial offseason transactions, which the Phillies have been known to do in the past.
Schwarber, the 2025 NL MVP runner-up, would be the biggest move. He’s reportedly going to sign for five years and at least $150 million. Realmuto could get two (maybe three) years at $15 million per season but is just as important to the Phillies.
Between that and the Rule 5 Draft, Dombrowski and the rest of the front office will be busy trying to reinforce the roster, considering all the star power that could potentially switch uniforms this winter.
However, if Dombrowski isn’t ready to sign off on an extension with one of the team’s most notable bats, perhaps he would feel better about signing a pitcher, like he did with Wheeler. Homegrown southpaw Ranger Suárez has also hit the free agent market. He has gone so far as to say that the Phillies are his “childhood club,” and that all he dreams about is playing his entire career in Philadelphia.
With the 2025 trade deadline having been arguably one of the most successful in Dombrowski’s tenure with the Phillies, it’s clear that the future Hall of Famer still has tricks up his sleeve to get the Phillies back on top after their NLDS loss to the Dodgers.
While Phillies fans are no strangers to heartbreak, this year’s postseason loss was one of the most bitter pills both the team and fans have had to swallow. That’s even considering the year prior when they lost to the NL East rival New York Mets. It feels as though the front office is due for a big move, and there’s no better time than now to make one.