Phillies Likely to Make Outfield Changes This Offseason

Left Field

The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to make changes to their outfield this offseason. The current configuration of Brandon Marsh or Austin Hays in left field with Johan Rojas in center field and Nick Castellanos in right field is likely to look different in 2025. Marsh, Hays, and Rojas may all find themselves on different teams next year, as reported by Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. The Phillies have been looking to upgrade their outfield for some time now. Hays was acquired at the trade deadline to help with this effort, but unfortunately, the deal has not worked out as planned, as Hays spent a significant amount of time on the injured list after joining the team.

Left field is the primary position in the outfield where the Phillies will focus on improvement. Phillies left fielders had a .710 OPS and a 98 wRC+ in 2024. Matt Gelb of The Athletic predicts that Hays will likely be non-tendered this offseason. In his 22 games with the Phillies in 2024, Hays posted a .256/.275/.397 line with two home runs and six RBI. Additionally, he had a .85 wRC+ and a .316 BABIP during that period. Marsh saw his strikeout rate increase from 30.5% in 2023 to 32.4% in 2024, while his walk rate declined from 12.5% in 2023 to 10.5% in 2024.

Among the available free agent outfielders, New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto stands out as a top choice for the Phillies, although it is likely that he will remain with the Yankees. Regardless, the Phillies should consider pursuing Soto. Other potential options for the Phillies include San Diego Padres utility player Jurickson Profar and Boston Red Sox outfielder Tyler O’Neill. Adding Profar to the lineup could help address the team’s plate discipline issues, as he had one of the best OBPs among qualified NL batters in 2024. O’Neill, on the other hand, has better defensive ratings than Profar.

Center Field

Marsh and Rojas could be targets for trades, but their ability to play center field effectively might lead to them remaining on the roster in 2025. Phillies center fielders had a .644 OPS and an 80 wRC+ in 2024. While a trade involving Marsh and Rojas is a possibility, it is not a sure thing. There could also be a scenario where a corner outfielder is moved to center field, with Marsh and Rojas potentially platooning in center while a new player is brought in for left field. The Phillies are keen on improving their outfield this offseason, and the approach they take to do so remains to be seen.