The Phillies are on the way to making some significant roster changes amid their frustrating playoff loss last year. Fans were expecting a few fireworks this offseason, but the team has been keeping it low with no major signings. But their two most expensive contracts, Kyle Schwarzer and JT Realmuto, moving away after this season left the Phillies with a $75 million scope to go for someone like Kyle Tucker! 

Well, this can make the fans optimistic about the Phillies’ long-term plan. Kyle Tucker currently plays for the Cubs, and he is about to get away from them post-2025 season, opening a window of opportunity for the Phillies to go hard. Tucker has a swing/take run value tied for the highest of any MLB hitter in 2023 and poses enough value for teams like the Yankees and Phillies. Is this then the reason for the Phillies’ quiet offseason? 

Quiet offseason for the Phillies 

As per the Phillies’ president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, they are all open to making the required roster changes centered around their existing core. However, these significant changes are still not evident much except for the signing of Jordan Romano and Jesus Luzardo. Why stay low this offseason when rivals like the Dodgers are making all the noise? The Phillies may be a bit smart here considering 2026 is the last year of the current collective bargaining agreement. Thus, the probability is high that the Phillies are pausing this offseason to accumulate the funds and going big the next winter for someone like Kyle Tucker.  

Well, this denotes that the Phillies will probably not have any big things coming up this season. What’s more, the core group of the Phillies is in their thirties or more and is in urgent need of fresh blood. “Their whole core is getting older, they’re in their 30s or mid-30s, and they’re going to need an infusion of talent in addition to what they already have which is good. That’s why Kyle Tucker could be someone that makes sense for them,” said MLB insider Ken Rosenthal. However, it all depends on the deep pocket of the Phillies because if they are going to re-sign Realmuto and Schwarzer, the $75 million advantage will not be available to contend for Tucker.

Stiff competition ahead for Kyle Tucker

Tucker had an injury-ridden 2024 and played only 78 games, but that hasn’t stopped him from hitting 23 HRs and 49 RBIs. Back in 2023, he had 100-plus RBIs and earned an All-Star callup. Now, the Yankees will be the favorites in getting behind him, and that’s one reason for the Phillies to have deep pockets to fend off the competition. Their $75 million advantage should be reserved for getting Kyle Tucker. However, it’s all coming post-2025 season, and fans can bet on their World Series chances post-2025 only. 

For the Phillies, Tucker will not be the only one to contend for post this season; rather, there will be players like Vladimir Guerrero, but he might have a steeper asking price compared to Tucker. Their aging core of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper will get a further boost by adding someone like Tucker, and if the Phillies can land him along with getting Realmuto and Schwarzer, the 2026 World Series is on for them!

The Phillies are all going big for 2026, and fans can expect significant changes by then. Time will now answer if staying low this offseason is a smart move or not. What do you think about the Phillies’ chance of going big post-2025? Share your thoughts with us below.