The Philadelphia Phillies roster will look largely similar to the past seasons after the front office’s mostly lateral moves this winter.
Some may claim that they’re fresh off a 96-win season, so they should be in a good position to contend again in 2026, while there’s also an argument that this core hasn’t been able to get over the hump and could use a shakeup.
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No matter where fans fall, Phillies skipper Rob Thomson is clearly confident about the group he has heading into 2026.
“I feel good about [the roster]. I really do,” proclaimed the Phillies skipper during Wednesday’s media availability, “Got [Kyle] Schwarber, got J.T. [Realmuto] back. We’re going to infuse some youth into this lineup with [Justin] Crawford, [Andrew] Painter, and Otto [Kemp]. We’ve got more guys coming with [Adian] Miller and [Gabriel] Rincones. We’ve added some really good bullpen pieces with [Brad] Keller, and [Jonathan] Bowlan, and [Chase] Shugart.”
Sep 20, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (49) looks on against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the sixth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Plus, Thomson refuted the idea that the Phillies are simply running back the same roster as last year.
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“We’re gonna have three new relievers. We got a new right fielder. Crawford’s gonna get every chance to play. We probably got a rookie starting pitcher in Painter. We got Otto Kemp, who wasn’t here at the start of last year,” said Thomson.
“So we’re turning over 20 to 25 percent of our roster. If you think that’s turning it back, or running it back, whatever the saying is? Yeah, I can’t help you.”
Of course, what many were hoping for to shake up the roster was the addition of another star.
Say, someone like Bo Bichette, who has an All-Star background and fits Philadelphia’s need for another right-handed bat. The Phillies tried to go in that direction, but their pursuit of Bichette ultimately failed, and Thomson believes it’s time to move past that saga.
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“All you can control is what you do. We put a really good bid in on Bichette. He went some place else. So you gotta turn the page, and you gotta move forward,” continued Philly’s skipper.
The Phillies objectively have a good roster.
Is it great? Is Philadelphia a 2026 World Series contender?
Those are questions the team must answer, but Thomson feels confident they are.
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