Could Two Former Phillies Be a Fit in San Francisco?
The Philadelphia Phillies enter the offseason following a disappointing National League Division Series exit against the eventual World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. With several key free agents to address, this could prove to be one of the most important winters for the franchise in recent years. Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto headline the list of players needing new deals. The question is whether the Phillies can balance their attention between their star hitters and the rest of the roster. If they become too focused on Schwarber and Realmuto, other teams could take advantage and lure away key contributors from their playoff run such as Ranger Suarez and Harrison Bader.
The Phillies have plenty of flexibility in their rotation with Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez, Aaron Nola, Jesus Luzardo, and Taijuan Walker. There should be a sense of urgency within this group to perform, as both Luzardo and Walker are on expiring contracts while Nola looks to rebound and live up to the contract he signed prior to the 2024 season. As a result, the Phillies may allow Suarez to test the market, especially if they believe they can add another high-leverage starter such as Zac Gallen, Shota Imanaga, Dylan Cease, Michael King, or Framber Valdez. Moving on from Suarez would free up resources and open the door for other teams to negotiate with the 30-year-old All-Star lefty.
The outfield picture, however, is much less stable. Two of the three spots are set with Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellenos, but the third remains unsettled. The other outfielders who appeared in the postseason, Otto Kemp and Weston Wilson, each have only about a year of major league experience. Given the Phillies’ win-now mentality and playoff aspirations, it is unlikely that they would rely heavily on either of those young players in 2026. Retaining Bader would make sense, but his combination of defense, speed, and experience will make him a target for several other clubs looking to add veteran leadership to their outfields.
Among potential suitors, the San Francisco Giants stand out as a strong fit for both Suarez and Bader. If Suarez signs with the Giants, the 30-year-old lefty would join Logan Webb and Robbie Ray to form one of the more balanced rotations in the National League. Meanwhile, the Giants’ offense struggled against left-handed pitching last season, making Bader’s right-handed bat and defensive ability especially appealing. The 31-year-old outfielder could handle the unique challenges of Oracle Park’s right field while mentoring younger outfielders such as Drew Gilbert, Grant McCray, and Luis Matos. Additionally, when Jung Hoo Lee needs a day off from playing in the field, he could slide over to his natural position in center.
