UPDATE: Trent Grisham signed his Qualifying Offer from the Yankees. That’s one less option
Last week I tried a few versions of the 2026 Phillies lineup one with Kyle Schwarber back and two without. I was operating under two unofficial constraints. First, Harrison Bader would not be back. Second, Justin Crawford will be a starting corner outfielder. The exercise became incredibly difficult. There simply are not many available CFs out there. See for yourself…
Free Agency
Harrison Bader – Bader recently said goodbye to Phillies fans and it jolted my offseason thoughts awake. Where was he going? For how much??? Turns out it was a false alarm. He isn’t going anywhere yet, but the thought of him leaving should have everyone worried. Why? Because he might be the best available CF in baseball. That is not hyperbole. His absurd batting with the Phillies is not sustainable, but he is still a solid hitter who excels in center. That type of competence is simply not available on the open market or through trade as you are about to see. Needless to say, I want him back.
Trent Grisham – Grisham broke out last year with by far his best offensive season including an .811 OPS and 36 HRs. They weren’t even due to a Yankee Stadium bump either, he just seemed to find a power stroke. Unfortunately, his defense in center suffered and he probably won’t stick there much longer. The Yankees offered him a Qualifying Offer, and there is a legitimate chance he takes that $22m salary next season. He seems like a 4/$60m kind of player.
Trade
The main problem with trading is that we do not have the horses to offer a big enough package. Yes, we could trade super prospects Aiden Miller or Andrew Painter, but the odds of that happening are slim. Not only do they play a part in the team’s future both on the field and financially, but the perfect player to trade one of them for simply doesn’t exist.
Not Going to Happen
- Byron Buxton – Twins – After years of brandishing his no trade clause to deter possible deals, he is reportedly open to move after Minnesota’s recent fire sale. Buxton has a ton of power and speed but struggles with strikeouts and simply staying on the field. Last year he played at an MVP level in his 126 games. You’d take that if you were the Phillies, but it was only the 2nd time in his 11-year career he missed less than 60 games. Would you give up one of our top two for the 32-year old? I don’t think Justin Crawford for Buxton gets it done.
- Luis Robert – White Sox – Robert doesn’t stink as much as you think. He still plays a good CF, steals bases, and mashes lefties. He can’t do a thing against righties though. He is also making $20m this season. As much as you’d think Chicago would treat that contract like we are Nick Castellanos, they are not the same. Robert could have been a free agent, but Chicago exercised his option. This means they are banking on him improving enough to trade him at the deadline. It is a huge gamble but effectively removes him from the trade block at the moment because no one would give up value for him.
- Bryan Reynolds – Pirates – Reynolds is one of the few Pirates to get an extension recently. Too bad for them, he fell off a cliff last year. He has about 5/$75m left on his contract. The Pirates would have to eat about half of that for it to be even a little worth it. There’s still more problems though, he doesn’t even play CF anymore. He’s only here to cover my bases for all ideas.
Possible
- Jarren Duran – Red Sox – Duran is a very fast, extra base machine who is under contract for 2 more years. Why is he available? Because he strikes out a ton and the Red Sox have a ton of young outfield prospects who won’t get expensive for a long time and Duran will fetch a solid prospect return. In fact, it will be too solid for the Phillies to afford straight up without giving up Aiden Miller or Andrew Painter. Then why is here? Because the Red Sox are always looking to make money and they happen to have a former Japanese Star on the roster who isn’t doing much of anything, Masataka Yoshida. By taking on Yoshida’s 2/$37m, the Phillies might be able to swing Duran with a lower prospect price tag. It also needs to be said that Duran might simply not be an option for the Phillies. Why? Because Red Sox ownership hates Dave Dombrowski.
- Jake Meyers – Astros – Meyers is a better player overall than Johan Rojas, but not some kind of massive upgrade. Meyers will cost around $4.5m through arbitration next year and could be a decent option for the recently cheap Astros. He has 2 years of control left before free agency.
- Oneil Cruz – Pirates – Let me be clear, I want nothing to do with Cruz for anything of value. Why? Because he might be the worst hitter in baseball against lefties. That’s not hyperbole. Last year he hit .102 with a .400 OPS against southpaws. That’s down from his career average, but that’s not very good either. He was also bad against righties last year in what was basically a lost season. Cruz is an undeniably cool player who is incredibly strong and very fast, but he just isn’t very good at actually hitting the ball. The Pirates would have to basically give up on him for the Phillies to take a chance on his tools. Pittsburgh just might do that.
Internal
- Brandon Marsh – When the Phillies traded for him, they thought they were getting a CF of the future. Unfortunately, he isn’t great in center and never came around against lefties. He isn’t Cruz bad, but he his sub .200 last season. We went into last year with Marsh platooning with Rojas in center and it didn’t go well. If they tried to do it again it would be a clear step backwards
- Johan Rojas – Rojas is incredibly fast and plays a great CF. He is still only 25, but his total lack of power, approach, and skill at the plate makes him top out as a 4th OF/defensive replacement. If he were at least good against lefties he could be an option as a weakside platoon, but he’s equally bad against everyone.
- Justin Crawford – It has been mentioned that the Phillies only view Crawford as a corner outfielder despite his great speed. Well, they might not have a choice. Do you see any better and realistic options above? Other than resigning Bader, I don’t. The big knock against him is that he hits everything on the ground. Balls that he beats out for hits are likely to be fewer and further between against big league defense. Until possibly the trade deadline, he is the best option.
If I am missing anyone else, please let me know. I would be happy to have more options to write about. Unfortunately, I think this is it.
Philly Front Office 
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