The Philadelphia Phillies are looking to revamp their lineup by adding a hitter. Dave Dombrowski mentioned that the “obvious” place that needs an upgrade is the outfield. Now, they already had Bryce Harper in that position last year until he was moved to first base last season. While Harper did mention that he was open to returning to his old position, Dave made it clear, “I can’t say that we’d never do it. But it’s not something that we are thinking of or wanting to do.”

So, the only player making the buzz and apt for the role is Juan Soto. However, Soto is on the target list for almost four teams. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that the Phillies weren’t even pursuing the 26-year-old. Also, five teams have already given their contract offers to Soto, so, at this point, the Phillies are too late for the party. Plus, the team already is tied to huge contracts of Harper and Trea Turner, so it’s a risk. But hope is not all lost!

Philadelphia Phillies budget-friendly options for Juan Soto

Instead of going all in for Soto, who is expected to go for $600 million worth, the Phillies could explore more budget-friendly outfield options. This way they can improve their entire roster rather than just one position.

Jurickson Profar

Jurickson Profar was once the top prospect in baseball, and he has finally delivered on his potential. The 31-year-old switch hitter transformed his career in 2024, delivering a .280 average, 24 homers, and an outstanding .839 OPS that’s outperforming the league average by 37%. His turnaround came after a winter ball stint in the Dominican Republic, where Fernando Tatis Sr. helped him refine his swing mechanics.

Inquirer stated, “He’s a below-average defender in left field. But his strike-zone awareness should appeal to the Phillies.” And well, Profar swings at just 21.9% of pitches out of the zone, so the Phillies could benefit from his keen eyes and stellar bat.

Tyler O’Neill

Tyler O’Neill brings power and defensive prowess that can help bolster the Philadelphia Phillies outfield. He is a two-time Golden Globe winner, and he is extremely versatile, playing all outfield positions. But he excels more on the left side. His season with the Boston Red Sox was awesome with 31 home runs and career-high walks. Neill is expected to go for $15 million annually and is one of the affordable alternatives to Juan Soto.

So, slotting O’Neill into left field could stabilize the outfield for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Michael Conforto

We have Michael Conforto make the list, and he might be the Philadelphia Phillies wildcard option. He missed his 2022 season because of a shoulder injury but bounced back with the Giants. He peaked late this season with a .529 slugging percentage and 10 homers. His strike zone discipline is something one can compare to Profar. So he could also be a brilliant choice for the Phillies. And the team could bolster their lineup without breaking the bank.

Phillies moving away from trading Marsh

The Philadelphia Phillies’ focus seems to be clear—they need to work on the outfield, an area they have struggled in. The proof—recent reports suggest that the team is moving away from the idea of trading Brandon Marsh. It shows how crucial they see his presence in the lineup in 2025. Matt Gelb of The Athletic recently shared on the Phillies Therapy podcast that Marsh is “not so available” as other trade candidates.

This move makes great sense because the outfield performance in 2024 is where the Phillies ranked 20th in WAR. So, despite the fact that he has struggled offensively, trading Marsh could only deepen the issue. With the winter meetings approaching, it seems like Alec Bohm and not Marsh could be traded.

So, who do you think will get traded, and who will come in? Let us know your thoughts below.