We are two weeks away from Pitchers and Catchers reporting to Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training in Clearwater, Florida. Heading into the 2026 Major League Baseball season, there are still plenty of questions swirling around a Phillies organization that has been eliminated in the divisional round of the playoffs the last two years.

Even though Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski says he is “content” with the team as currently constructed, Philadelphia Sports Fans are not thrilled by the underwhelming moves the team made this offseason.

The Phillies still have time to add another player to the collection of men who will be joining them in Clearwater this year. There are still questions about depth in the Starting Rotation without Zack Wheeler to start the season, and another right-handed bat coming off the bench without Weston Wilson a part of the organization anymore.

Top Eight MLB Free Agents Who Could Fill A Role for the Phillies in 2026

1. Chris Bassitt, Starting Pitcher
The soon-to-be 37 year old Right-Handed pitcher averages 176 Innings Pitched per season over the last five years. Even though Bassitt had a mediocre regular season in 2025 (3.96 ERA and 1.327 WHIP in 31 starts), he came out of the bullpen for seven postseason games for the Blue Jays and pitched great: 1.04 ERA and 0.577 WHIP in 8.2 innings.

Bassitt would be a perfect for a Phillies’ Starting Rotation that after Cristopher Sanchez, and Jesus Luzardo, there is not any real guarantees with Tijuan Walker, Aaron Nola, and Andrew Painter. With Zack Wheeler’s timetable to return uncertain, Bassitt could be an asset to consume innings and put less pressure on the bullpen.

2. Zack Littell, Starting Pitcher
Compiling a 3.81 ERA and 1.104 WHIP while pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds, the 30 year old Right Haded Pitcher showed that he can be a reliable starting pitcher over the course of a regular season. Littell threw 186.2 Innings during the 2025 MLB season, the most he has ever pitched.

Zack Littell has only been a consistent starting pitcher at the major league level since 2024. Previously, he had 155 relief appearances between 2018-2023. According to Spotrac, his salary would cost at least $3 million less than Bassitt, if the Phillies didn’t want to spend too much money just a couple of weeks before Spring Training.

Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images

Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images

3. Framber Valdez, Starting Pitcher
The 32-year-old Left-Hander is one of the best pitchers available in Free Agency. Aside from being a two-time all-star selection and World Series Champion, Valdez has a Wins Above Replacement (WAR) over 3.0 in each of the last four years.

The problem with Frambler Valdez is that he is looking for a big payday, and if the Phillies wouldn’t shell out the money for Ranger Suarez, I doubt they would do it for the former Astros Pitcher. But if he would take a one-year deal for a reasonable number, he would be an incredible addition to the Phillies starting rotation.

4. Zac Gallen, Starting Pitcher
A graduate from Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken, New Jersey, this 30 year old Right-Handed pitcher has thrown at least 184 Innings in three of the last four seasons. Gallen sustained a Hamstring Injury that derailed part of his 2024 season, and struggled in the first half of the 2025 MLB season. But in the Second half, he had 13 starts in which he compiled a 1.091 WHIP and 3.97 ERA.

The fact that Gallen is not already signed means he could be willing to take a one-year Prove-It deal, and why not join the starting rotation for the team that is located a short drive from where you grew up.

5. Austin Hays, Outfielder
This soon-to-be 31 year old Outfielder never got to show Philadelphia what he could really do when the Phillies acquired him in 2024. Hays sustained a serious kidney infection that could have killed him if he hadn’t gotten the right treatment.

Last season, Austin Hays in 58 games vs Left-Handed Pitcher had a .319 Batting Average and .549 Slugging Percentage. The 2023 All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles is a great platoon option to pair with Brandon Marsh, and is still a good defensive outfielder.

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

6. Jose Quintana , Starting Pitcher
The 37-year-old Left-Hander has become a vagabond in recent years, pitching for six different teams since 2021. Last season, Quintana had a 3.96 ERA and 1.291 WHIP in 24 starts and 131.2 innings pitched.

The Phillies cannot literally replace Ranger Suarez, but Jose Quintana has experience as a relief pitcher (26 career relief outings), and started postseason games (8 playoff starts). Also, he would be a less expensive free agent addition than other players.

7. Starling Marte, Outfielder
The 37-year-old played the last four years for the New York Mets, and has proved to be a great right-handed batter against Left-Handed Pitching. Marte had a .294 Batting Average, .370 On-Base Percentage in 41 games versus Left-Handed Starting Pitchers last season.

While Starling Marte can play all three Outfield Positions, he has not played in Center Field consistently since 2021. His age and perceived regression could be negatives against the Phillies adding another right-handed bat before the start of the regular season.

8. Lucas Giolito, Starting Pitcher
After missing the entire 2024 season because of a torn UCL in his right elbow, the 31 year old Right Handed Pitcher had 26 starts last season in which he compiled a 3.41 ERA and 1.290 WHIP. Giolito had his best season since 2021, but he has gotten no traction as a free agent this offseason.

Lucas Giolito, like Zac Gallen, could be open to a one-year deal that allows him to prove that 2025 wasn’t a “fluke”, and pitching for a team like the Phillies, who expect to be playoff contenders, could elevate his profile.

Photo by Brad White/Getty Images

Photo by Brad White/Getty Images

*Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, Starting Pitchers
I am putting these two future Hall of Famers together because they are both in their early 40’s but also have ties to current Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowksi. The soon-to-be 43-year-old Verlander was drafted by Dombrowski during his time with the Detroit Tigers in 2004, while 41-year-old Scherzer was acquired by Dombrowski as part of a three-team trade in December 2009.

Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer have the resumes that demand respect when they walk into a locker room, and either man could be a great mentor to the Phillies’ Top Prospect Andrew Painter. The question is, how much does either man have left in the tank?

Scherzer had a rocky 2025 regular season with the Toronto Blue Jays but had some clutch games in the postseason. Verlander had a bounce-back season with the San Francisco Giants, compared to his struggles in 2024, but he hasn’t pitched in the playoffs since 2023.

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