Let’s get one thing straight: The Phillies are still a contender. You don’t win 90-plus games in back-to-back seasons, keep your core intact, and suddenly become an afterthought. But let’s also be clear: If you were waiting for John Middleton to roll up in a Brink’s truck and drop $300 million, you’re still waiting.
And here’s why.
It wasn’t the splashiest offseason in club history—more of a light sprinkle, really. But not because the Phillies have lost their checkbook. No, this was an offseason shaped by simple math. Let’s break it down.
Before the ink even dried on the 2024 stat sheets, the Phillies had already spent $38 million without signing a single player. That’s because of built-in raises to Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez (extensions), a handful of arbitration increases, and some already-committed dollars. You know who got a pay bump? Everybody. Alec Bohm, Ranger Suárez, Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh, Edmundo Sosa—altogether nearly $13.5 million more in 2025 than they made in 2024. And Wheeler? His luxury-tax salary jumps by $19 million. That’s real money.
Add it all up, and suddenly, there wasn’t a lot of space to chase Soto or trade for Kyle Tucker. It’s why Teoscar Hernández isn’t patrolling left field in Philly red. And it’s why the next wave of young Phillies—guys like Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, and Justin Crawford—aren’t just important to the future. They’re essential to keeping this window open.
"We could get a lot of players for Andrew Painter," Dave Dombrowski admitted back in December.
Yeah, you think? Painter is the kind of talent that front offices dream about. And if everything goes according to plan with his rehab, he could be a difference-maker as soon as this summer.
But here’s the kicker. The Phillies aren’t handcuffed forever. In fact, they’ve got a whopping $125 million set to come off the books after 2025. And that means some big decisions are on the horizon. J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, Suárez, Max Kepler, and Jordan Romano are all entering their final guaranteed years. Will they all be back? Unlikely. Will the Phillies make a push to keep one or two? You’d think so. Schwarber turns 32 in March, Realmuto turns 34 two weeks later. Both have been critical to this team’s resurgence, but at what price?
And let’s not forget: The acquisition of Jesús Luzardo wasn’t just about getting a strong left-handed arm—it was also about preparing for a future without Suárez.
All of this makes 2025 a fascinating year. It’s not the last ride for the Phillies as contenders. But it might be the last ride for this version of the Phillies. If they want to finish what they started in 2022, this might be their best shot.
And oh yeah, the Dodgers exist.
At one point, it looked like the Phillies might shake things up. Jeff Hoffman was a free agent. Bohm’s name was floating in rumors like a weather balloon. There was even chatter about moving Suárez before the raises kicked in. And let’s be honest, when your offense cools off in October like a backyard grill running out of propane, you’re going to hear questions about your everyday lineup.
Instead, they mostly ran it back. Bet on continuity. Trust the core. Hope that a few internal tweaks and better-timed hot streaks make the difference.
"I don’t feel like our window is closing," Dombrowski said two months ago. "I keep hearing that. But sometimes it closes with the current players you have. It doesn’t mean it closes overall."
And that’s the real story of 2025. It’s a "prove it" year. Prove that this core still has magic left. Prove that the young talent can contribute sooner rather than later. Prove that this group isn’t just about the deep runs—they’re about finishing the job.
Because if they don’t? That $125 million coming off the books is a whole lot of reason to rethink the blueprint.