DALLAS -- As the Winter Meetings wind down here in Dallas, the Phillies find themselves with significant work left to do—and the stakes have only gotten higher. The Mets stole the spotlight earlier this week by signing Juan Soto to the largest contract in professional sports history, a staggering move that amplifies the Phillies' urgency to strengthen their roster.
One key offseason target, left-hander Garrett Crochet, is now off the board. The Red Sox struck a deal with the White Sox on Wednesday to acquire the hard-throwing southpaw, leaving the Phillies still searching for reinforcements in the rotation.
That said, there’s no shortage of intrigue in the pitching market. Multiple sources in Dallas have indicated the Phillies are showing interest in Mariners ace Luis Castillo. The 31-year-old right-hander would provide a major boost to their rotation as they look to keep pace in an increasingly competitive NL East.
Meanwhile, the Phillies have taken steps to revamp their bullpen, signing free-agent closer Jordan Romano. The two-time All-Star boasts a career 2.90 ERA and 105 saves but battled injuries in 2024, posting a 6.59 ERA in just 13⅔ innings. He underwent surgery in July to address a right elbow impingement and hasn’t pitched at the major-league level since May. The Phillies are hopeful he returns to form at age 30.
On the offensive side, the Phillies reportedly have their sights set on Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker. However, landing him won’t be easy as the Yankees and Cubs are believed to already be in advanced negotiations. The 27-year-old Tucker, who hit .289 with 23 home runs and 49 RBI in an injury-riddled 78-game campaign last season, remains a coveted piece. The Astros hold Tucker in high regard, so acquiring him will require a significant package.
The Phillies have also been linked to Anthony Santander. At 30, Santander doesn’t possess Soto’s youth or plate discipline, but his power speaks for itself. Over the past three seasons, he has hit at least 28 home runs each year, including 44 in 2024, leading to 105 total since 2022. His 8.5% walk rate during that stretch was around league average, while his 20.5% strikeout rate was slightly better than par. His .244/.317/.478 batting line during that span produced a 124 wRC+, meaning he was 24% better than league average. The Red Sox, Yankees, and several other teams are also in the running for his services.
As for trade chips, the Phillies have been tight-lipped about their openness to moving key pieces. Prior to the start of the Winter Meetings, reports suggested the organization was asking too high of a price for Alec Bohm and Ranger Suarez, two of the most logical trade candidates. However, both Manager Rob Thomson and agent Scott Boras have downplayed the idea of moving Bohm, adding an extra layer of uncertainty to the Phillies' approach.
There's still two months before the start of Spring Training, so there's plenty of time for the Phillies to make a splash, but this week in Dallas has shown how difficult it may be for the club to avoid running back a nearly identical roster to the one that lost to the Mets in the NLDS.
