The main one is whether this team can continue as is or if it needs to make major changes. There will be many big decisions for the Phillies this offseason, including moving on from some key players of late years.
Jayson Stark of The Athletic looked at a lot of different players who are in the pipeline for 2026, but one name he identified would be tough for Phillies fans to swallow. Stark believes the Phillies could move on from a beloved outfielder this offseason.
Phillies could move on from beloved outfielder Brandon Marsh this winter
“What’s up with Stott and Brandon Marsh?” Stark writes. “They feel they are more likely to stay than leave, but Marsh feels less confident about staying than Stott.”
Moving on from Brandon Marsh would be a real sign that big changes are coming for the Phillies. While letting players go or trading someone like Nick Castellanos are some of the Phillies’ most discussed moves this winter, a Marsh trade would be a big deal.
Stark goes on to explain why the Phillies might make such a decision regarding their beloved outfielder: “The Phillies obviously prefer Marsh in left field over center. But if they see (Justin) Crawford as their left fielder of the future, well, draw your own conclusions.”
Trading Marsh would likely generate a decent return, as the left-handed outfielder is under club control for the next two seasons. If the Phillies move Marsh, they could target prospects or look to upgrade areas of their major league roster right away.
Philadelphia will likely look for new outfield help in addition to exploring third base, designated hitter, bullpen and potentially catcher help this winter.
JT Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber are free agents, and the Phillies’ decision regarding both will likely dictate what they do the rest of the offseason. But after three straight disappointing playoff finishes, change is needed.
Further: Kyle Schwarber gets emotional as free agency looms after Phillies’ NLDS heartbreak
Unfortunately for Phillies fans who have come to love Marsh, he is an obvious candidate to be traded this offseason. This October, he had a .077 batting average and made a fielding error in Game 3 that allowed Mookie Betts to turn a single into a triple.
For the year, Marsh batted .280 with a .785 OPS. Those are good numbers, but his playoff performances the last two years (.077 average in each of the Phillies’ last two series) should make the Phillies reconsider his spot on the roster.
He will be 28 years old at the start of the 2026 MLB season and, with two years of control, would give the Phillies a strong return in a trade. Since arriving in Philadelphia at the 2022 trade deadline, Phillies fans have loved Marsh.
But after several years of mediocre offensive performances in the playoffs and his inconsistencies in the regular season, it might be time to move on from Marsh. Stark believes such a move is not out of the question, especially if the Phillies need an everyday starting job for Justin Crawford, the team’s top outfield prospect.
Marsh’s status will be one to watch as the offseason unfolds. While the Phillies could decide to keep him for another year or two, a trade is no longer out of the question after how the 2025 playoffs ended for the Phillies.