The Philadelphia Phillies find themselves at a crossroads this offseason, and the decisions they make now could either propel them to championship glory or leave them stuck in the same frustrating cycle. Former Phillies outfielder, general manager, and current NBC Sports Philadelphia analyst Ruben Amaro Jr. recently shared his insights on how the team should navigate this critical period. But here's where it gets controversial: Amaro believes that simply running back the same lineup won’t cut it, and this is the part most people miss—the Phillies need to make bold moves to finally get over the hump.
Amaro’s assessment of the 2025 Phillies is both optimistic and critical. He sees an elite team that came agonizingly close to success but ultimately fell short due to fatigue and key injuries. ‘Their starting pitching was clearly their biggest strength,’ Amaro noted, highlighting the loss of Zack Wheeler as a significant blow. ‘You need as much depth as possible with your arms,’ he added, emphasizing the need for a stronger bullpen. Despite another early postseason exit, Amaro insists the Phillies were ‘just a couple of base hits and a couple of pitches away from being back in the World Series.’
Now, as the Phillies head into the winter, they face major decisions with key players like Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suárez, and J.T. Realmuto hitting free agency. Amaro’s priorities are clear: bolster the bullpen and add a right-handed bat to protect Bryce Harper. ‘You’ve got to pitch to guys like Bryce Harper,’ he explained, pointing out that Harper saw pitches in the strike zone just 43% of the time this season—the lowest rate among 532 hitters. A legitimate bat behind him could change the game and set the stage for a bigger 2026 campaign.
But here’s the controversial part: Amaro suggests that the Phillies might need to part ways with certain players, including Alec Bohm, despite his improvements. ‘Do I think he can be a championship-caliber third baseman? Yes,’ Amaro said. ‘But that’s also an area where you might want to mix it up a little bit.’ This raises the question: How much of the core should the Phillies retain, and where should they seek upgrades?
Amaro also sees a bright future for Philadelphia’s top prospects, like Justin Crawford, Aidan Miller, and Andrew Painter, but acknowledges the need for veteran depth, especially in center field. Names like Harrison Bader, who brought energy and defense to the team in 2025, could return to provide stability. However, Amaro is less confident in Johan Rojas as an everyday player, viewing him more as a fourth or fifth outfielder.
When it comes to free-agent signings, Amaro floated high-profile names like Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso, who could reshape the lineup. ‘Bregman would fit nicely behind Harper,’ he said, though he acknowledged the payroll constraints. ‘It’s going to take some razzling-dazzling to bring a bat like that.’ Alonso, with his right-handed power and ability to hit to all fields, would add a dimension the Phillies have lacked.
And this is where it gets even more intriguing: Amaro hinted that some of the most interesting additions might come via trade, particularly from small-market teams looking to move players due to high arbitration costs. One such player is Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox, whose athleticism and power could instantly elevate Philadelphia’s outfield.
Amaro’s final message to fans is one of optimism and change. ‘We’re not going backwards here. We’re going forward,’ he declared. ‘It may be a little odd what we do, but there’ll be a method to the madness.’ He believes significant changes are coming, and while some moves might raise eyebrows, they’re all part of a larger strategy to bring a championship to Philadelphia.
So, here’s the question for you: Do you agree with Amaro’s assessment? Should the Phillies make bold moves, or is there value in maintaining continuity? Let us know in the comments—this offseason promises to be one of the most fascinating in recent memory.
