{"id":821366,"date":"2026-10-04T12:57:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T12:57:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/821366\/"},"modified":"2026-10-04T12:57:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T12:57:15","slug":"what-2026-phillies-wont-be-back-in-2027-perk-valley-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/821366\/","title":{"rendered":"What 2026 Phillies won\u2019t be back in 2027? \u2013 Perk Valley Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

After another early postseason exit, it feels like the Phillies<\/a> are due for change.<\/p>\n

While there are some who think even Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner should be available, all three have no-trade clauses. And though Harper and Schwarber will play next season at 34 years old, it\u2019s hard to think the Phillies wouldn\u2019t be worse without them in 2027. Harper played in all 165 games<\/a> the Phillies had this season. Schwarber hit 45 home runs. Turner \u2014 who is still owed $189 million over the next seasons \u2014 might be unmovable<\/a>, and would have to accept a trade. <\/p>\n

So let\u2019s look at players who are either impending free agents or close to free agency and try to determine who president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski might move on from this offseason. <\/p>\n

\"2026Sep 24, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman\u00a0Luis\u00a0Arraez\u00a0(4) prepares to bat during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Luis Arraez<\/p>\n

Contract status: Free agent<\/p>\n

Percentage chance of returning: 20% <\/p>\n

There was an initial spark when Arraez was acquired from the San Francisco Giants, with Harper walking the most he ever has in a month<\/a> with the Phillies in August. Harper seemed much more comfortable passing the baton with Arraez hitting behind him that he previously had been. <\/p>\n

However, after hitting .324 with an .801 OPS in 105 games with the Giants, Arraez hit just .278 with a .678 OPS in 46 games with the Phillies. He\u2019s obviously a better hitter than he showed with the Phillies, but because he doesn\u2019t walk or hit for power, he kind of needs to hit .310 to be valuable. Additionally, while he\u2019s improved at second base, he was still definitely a downgrade from Bryson Stott defensively. Do the Phillies want to commit to multiple years with Arraez at second? <\/p>\n

Arraez missed the NLWCS after suffering a serious left ankle sprain in the waning days of the 2026 season. It\u2019s possible, if not probable, that him writhing in pain after hurting the ankle was the final time we\u2019ll see Arraez in a Phillies uniform. <\/p>\n

\"2026Aug 9, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering (50) walks off the mound after the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Orion Kerkering<\/p>\n

Contract status: Three years of arbitration remaining before free agency <\/p>\n

Percentage chance of returning: 1%<\/p>\n

Despite a disastrous bullpen down the stretch, the Phillies made the decision to option a struggling Kerkering<\/a> to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sept. 20, essentially ending his season. There\u2019s a strong chance the move ended his time with the Phillies as well. <\/p>\n

Kerkering still has good stuff, as evidenced by his 2.43 ERA in 39 first-half games. However, he posted a 9.43 ERA in 24 games after the All-Star Break. Couple that with his history of postseason meltdowns, and he probably needs a change of scenery. Frankly, he probably needed one the second he walked off the mound at Dodger Stadium to end the 2025 season. <\/p>\n

What will burn here for the Phillies is they will be selling low on a 25-year-old with three years until free agency. Maybe they\u2019ll be able to get back another player that needs a fresh start. <\/p>\n

\"2026Jul 29, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott (5) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Bryson Stott<\/p>\n

Contract status: One year of arbitration remaining before free agency<\/p>\n

Percentage chance of returning: 95% <\/p>\n

Speaking of Stott, he had a strange season. He posted an OPS above .800 in July and August, but then under .700 in April and September. Every year, Stott shows you six or eight weeks where he hits enough to look like an All-Star. That makes it all the more frustrating when other months he looks like a No. 9 hitter. <\/p>\n

The good news for Stott is because of his defensive flexibility and basestealing ability, he carries a high floor. Second base may still be his best position, but with minus-one defensive run saved and one out above average is 367 2\/3 innings at the third base, he seemingly could play there moving forward if that\u2019s what the Phillies want. And hey, if Turner is moved off shortstop, that is the natural position of Stott. <\/p>\n

From here, it\u2019s less of a question of whether Stott will be back in 2027, and more of whether he will do enough in his contract year to warrant a long-term contract. <\/p>\n

\"2026Sep 4, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder\u00a0Edmundo\u00a0Sosa\u00a0(33) reacts after hitting a single against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Edmundo Sosa<\/p>\n

Contract Status: Free Agent<\/p>\n

Percentage chance of returning: 45%<\/p>\n

Sosa left it all on the field<\/a> during the NLWCS, after which he discussed his future<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019m a free agent next year,\u201d Sosa said through interpreter Diego D\u2019Aniello. \u201cDon\u2019t know what the future holds for me on that end, it\u2019s a little uncertain at this point. But now I gotta be focused on recovering from this and getting ready for next year \u2026 preparing, getting ready for whatever comes next and eyes ahead and keep looking towards the future and hope everything works out for me and I continue to be an MLB player next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sosa, 30, will definitely be an MLB player next year, it\u2019s just a matter of whether another team gives him the opportunity to play on a more consistent basis than what the Phillies can. <\/p>\n

\"2026Apr 28, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher\u00a0Tim\u00a0Mayza\u00a0(37) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Tim Mayza<\/p>\n

Contract Status: Free agent<\/p>\n

Percentage chance of returning: 50%<\/p>\n

Mayza made the Phillies out of Spring Training after being signed to a minor-league with an invite to big league camp. He turned out to be one of their more reliable relievers, posting a 3.48 ERA across 60 appearances. <\/p>\n

Set to turn 35 in January, Mayza will surely get an MLB deal this offseason. One would think the Phillies would be interested in bringing him back, and the Upper Perkiomen grad would surely love to continue pitching for the team he grew up rooting for. <\/p>\n

With that said, the Phillies bullpen was such a liability this season that Dombrowski may just want to start over completely, outside of Duran, and bring in a whole new group. <\/p>\n

\"2026Aug 13, 2026; Dyersville, Iowa, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman\u00a0Alec\u00a0Bohm\u00a0(28) watches a ball hit to the of during their game with the Minnesota Twins at the\u00a0Field\u00a0of\u00a0Dreams. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Alec Bohm<\/p>\n

Contract status: Free agent<\/p>\n

Percentage chance of returning: 20% <\/p>\n

Bohm had four hits in 12 at-bats in the NLWCS, including the winning homer in Game 2. Afterwards, he was asked whether he hopes to be back with the Phillies<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely,\u201d Bohm said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be honest with you, I have know idea what to expect, but I would love to be back if they would have me back. Like I said, I have no idea what to expect. But yeah, I definitely feel like we have unfinished business here and I want to be a part of the team that gets it done, for sure. Like I said, a lot of it\u2019s out of my hands, but I would definitely like to.\u201d<\/p>\n

The former No. 3 overall pick had his share of trials and tribulations during seven seasons in Philadelphia. A reunion can\u2019t altogether be ruled out, but it\u2019s probably time for all parties involved. There will be some teams who think they can further unlock the 30-year-old. <\/p>\n

\"2026Aug 6, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder\u00a0Brandon\u00a0Marsh\u00a0(16) celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run during the third inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Brandon Marsh<\/p>\n

Contract status: One year of arbitration remaining before free agency<\/p>\n

Percentage chance of returning: 50%<\/p>\n

When Marsh started at the All-Star Game a few months ago, there was a reasonable conversation to be had about whether the Phillies should pursue a long-term deal with Marsh this offseason. <\/p>\n

However, after the Midsummer Classic, Marsh was one of the worst players in baseball, batting .184 with a minuscule .502 OPS. And man, it was hard to watch Otto Kemp pinch hit for him with the season on the line and feel like things hadn\u2019t run their course. Granted, it was Chris Sale on the mound. But the Phillies thought they had a better shot with Kemp \u2014 who had just two hits in 25 at-bats during the regular season \u2014 than Marsh. That\u2019s damning. <\/p>\n

This is probably a situation where the Phillies shouldn\u2019t rush to judgement. They certainly shouldn\u2019t just give Marsh away, particularly given their lack of outfield depth. He definitely seems like a trade candidate ahead of his contract year, though. <\/p>\n

\"2026Jul 18, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia\u00a0Phillies\u00a0relief pitcher\u00a0Jose\u00a0Alvarado\u00a0(46) throws a pitch against the New York Mets in the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Jos\u00e9 Alvarado<\/p>\n

Contract status: Free agent<\/p>\n

Percentage chance of returning: 0%<\/p>\n

Alvarado did not appear in any NLWCS games, with interim manager Don Mattingly seemingly giving up on him after he walked three and gave up three earned runs in just 1\/3 of an inning of work in the penultimate game of the regular season. <\/p>\n

Even if Alvarado was much better in the second half, the gamble of picking up his $9 million club option for 2026 didn\u2019t work. He did log 68 games, but posted a brutal 5.86 ERA. <\/p>\n

There will definitely be teams interested in the 31-year-old, who was Dombrowski\u2019s first acqusition on the job. But after six seasons with the Phillies, Alvarado will definitely be moving on. <\/p>\n

\"2026May 26, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder\u00a0Adolis\u00a0Garc\u00eda (53) celebrates after defeating the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Adolis Garc\u00eda <\/p>\n

Contract Status: Free agent<\/p>\n

Percentage chance of returning: 10% <\/p>\n

The Phillies signed Garc\u00eda to a one-year\/$10 million deal last offseason, hoping he would bounce back after being non-tendered by the Texas Rangers. <\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Garc\u00eda tore his right lat in June, which required season-ending surgery. In 67 games with the Phillies, Garc\u00eda flashed his world-class throwing arm. But he hit .195 with a .599 OPS in 259 plate appearances. That\u2019s bad. <\/p>\n

Perhaps Garc\u00eda would be willing to return for a much lower price and less guaranteed playing time, but what seems more likely is the 33-year-old heads elsewhere. <\/p>\n

\"2026Jun 5, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher\u00a0Jhoan\u00a0Duran\u00a0(59) reacts to a strike out to end the ninth inning for a victory against the Chicago White Sox at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Jhoan Duran<\/p>\n

Contract Status: One year of arbitration remaining before free agency<\/p>\n

Percentage chance of returning: 99%<\/p>\n

This is more of a never-say-never thing, because the Phillies \u2014 who don\u2019t have a great farm system \u2014 could get quite a bit in return for Duran if they traded him before his contract year. <\/p>\n

But even after a second consecutive disappointing postseason, Duran still feels far too integral to move on from. He was really, really good in the regular season, recording 33 saves and posting a 1.82 ERA in 61 games. There\u2019s only about a handful of guys in the league that are as effective as him out of the bullpen. <\/p>\n

The Phillies shouldn\u2019t feel the need to try to sign Duran to an extension prior to his contract year. Relievers are such a year-to-year proposition that giving a $100-plus million deal before you absolutely have to doesn\u2019t make sense. But expect Duran back in 2027. <\/p>\n

\"2026Aug 17, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher\u00a0Brooks\u00a0Raley\u00a0(30) gets a new baseball after allowing a home run during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Brooks Raley<\/p>\n

Contract Status: Free agent<\/p>\n

Percentage chance of returning: 0%<\/p>\n

Do we even need to discuss this? <\/p>\n

Raley had a 1.96 ERA in 45 games with the New York Mets, so it made sense why Dombrowski was interested in the veteran lefty. But the coaching staff never seemed nearly as enamored, and Raley ultimately pitched his way off the postseason roster, posting a 7.94 ERA in just 16 appearances for the Phillies. <\/p>\n

The 38-year-old will continue his career somewhere in 2026, but it won\u2019t be in Philadelphia. <\/p>\n

Read More Phillies Content From OnPattison<\/p>\n

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With Phillies in desperate need of change, Alec Bohm may very well be offseason departure<\/a><\/p>\n

This all feels headed towards Alex Cora managing the Phillies in 2027<\/a><\/p>\n

Last rodeo? Middleton isn\u2019t ready to call time on Phillies core<\/a><\/p>\n

OK, now we can talk about Bryce Harper\u2019s remarkable accomplishment<\/a><\/p>\n

Mayor Parker said \u2018We need to have our own Battery.\u2019 What makes area in Atlanta so special?<\/a><\/p>\n

Which Phillie from this era could be the best broadcaster? Tom McCarthy weighs in\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Carlos Beltr\u00e1n on Chase Utley: \u2018I think he had a great career \u2014 not a big fan\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

What is the Phillies\u2019 2026 uniform schedule?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"After another early postseason exit, it feels like the Phillies are due for change. While there are some…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":821367,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2397],"tags":[5,4,144,25,4216,40],"class_list":["post-821366","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-philadelphia-phillies","tag-baseball","tag-mlb","tag-philadelphia","tag-philadelphia-phillies","tag-philadelphiaphillies","tag-phillies"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/117382757968658640","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/821366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=821366"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/821366\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/821367"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=821366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=821366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=821366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}