Fixing the Phillies: What to Do in the Outfield?

The MLB general managers meetings are in full force and Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombroski is busy.   One big task this offseason: Fixing the Phillies outfield.  Dombrowski is at work, and pretty busy doing so, as the Phillies outfield should look very different in 2026.

Here is a rundown of where this offseason is going for their outfielders.

Nick Castellanos likely is out the door.  Dombrowski has done everything but say it out loud.  But it seems his declining defense (and offense for that matter) means that the Phillies will look for a solution other than Castellanos.

Castellanos was in the bottom 10 of defensive runs saved in the outfield in all of MLB in 2025.  Signed to a five-year, $100 million deal, Castellanos was supposed to be a fixture in the outfield.  Instead, he spent 2025 platooning in right field.  The Phillies, who had platoons in right field, left field, and second base, could expand their bench by having at least one fewer in the platoon.

Possible fits: Cincinnati, where Castellanos had success before Philadelphia, and Miami, his hometown, who also is looking for outfield help.  The Phillies would have to pay much of his salary in a trade.

Harrison Bader posted an Instagram "thank you" to Philadelphia this week, which led many to think he was out the door.  Yet, Dombrowski told reporters that the Phillies are indeed interested in bringing Bader back.

Bader, who has played for six teams already in his career, put together arguably his best season in 2025.  Would he repeat that success in 2026?  Would the Phillies feel comfortable giving him a three- year contract at $13 million a season?  We will see how that plays out as Bader tests free agency.

Meanwhile, Dombrowski says he thinks that Justin Crawford can play center field.  In the Philadelphia Inquirer, he seemed to indicate to Scott Lauber and Lachlan March that Crawford would be a strong candidate to occupy one of the three outfield positions.   Crawford's bat might profile best in center field, but many scouts have felt he is better in a corner.

It could be public posturing to the Bader camp to keep his price reasonable, sending the message that the Phillies have another in-house option and do not need to overpay.  Whether he is in left field or center field, it sure sounds like Crawford will in the Phillies Opening Day lineup.

It sounds like Max Kepler will not be re-signed.  The $10 million spent on Kepler in 2025 could be allocated to other needs, including a raise for Kyle Schwarber, who the Phillies hope to retain.

That leaves Brandon Marsh of last year's batch of outfielders who saw prominent playing time.  Marsh was very successfuly against right-handed pitching, batting .300 with an OPS of .838.  But against lefties?  Marsh batted just .197 with a .577 OPS.

Who would be Marsh's platoon partner?  That seems unclear.  The Phillies gave Weston Wilson and Otto Kemp opportunities in that role last year and they are still under contract.  Would the Phillies consider a platoon-type bat such as Austin Hays? (Yes, that Austin Hays).  Or would they be comfortable with Wilson and Kemp for now?

Meanwhile, Johan Rojas could be a trade candidate, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.  Rojas finished the season at Triple-A after appearing in 71 games for the Phillies.  Rojas is best known for his speed and defense, but the Phillies may not wish to be patient with his bat.  Rojas is a career .633 OPS and has yet to fully realize his speed potential on the basepaths.

Possibly in the mix is outfielder Gabriel Rincones, Jr.  Rincones opened some eyes in Grapefruit League action in 2025, demonstrating a strong power potential.  Rinconese batted just .240 in a full season at Triple-A, with 18 home runs, 73 RBI and 21 stolen bases.  He finished with an .800 OPS.  Rincones has a strong corner outfield arm.

Rincones should be added to the 40-man roster ahead of December's Rule 5 draft.  He may not go into Spring Training with a starting job, but he has the opportunity to demonstrate he belongs sooner than alter.

And finally, Dombrowski seemed to make clear that Bryce Harper would not be returning to the outfield.  The Phillies seem pretty committed to Harper at first base.  In the Inquirer, Lauber quoted Dombrowski on that topic also noting that any issues between Harper and Dombrowski seem to have been smoothed over.