The Philadelphia Phillies could have a major opportunity to reshape their roster this offseason, with a reported $83.4 million in salary commitments coming off the books. But after another disappointing postseason exit, the biggest question is no longer how much money the organization can free up. It’s whether president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski will spend it wisely.

Philadelphia has several pressing needs heading into 2027. The bullpen needs a serious overhaul, the outfield requires more consistent production from the right side of the plate, and the future of third baseman Alec Bohm remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the Phillies must decide how to balance their established core with the need for fresh talent.

The good news? There are potential solutions available.

The challenge is identifying the right players, negotiating reasonable contracts and avoiding the kind of expensive mistakes that can haunt a franchise for years.

If I were building the Phillies’ offseason plan, I would prioritize three things: a dependable right-handed outfielder, multiple high-quality bullpen arms and a clear decision on Alec Bohm.

Here’s how I’d approach it.

THE $83.4 MILLION QUESTION: HOW MUCH CAN THE PHILLIES ACTUALLY SPEND?

According to the figures provided, the Phillies could see the following salary commitments come off their books.

Player	Reported amount
Nick Castellanos	$19.2 million
Taijuan Walker	$18 million
Alec Bohm	$10.2 million
Adolis García	$10 million
José Alvarado	$9 million
Edmundo Sosa	$4.4 million
Luis Arraez	$3.5 million
Harrison Bader	$3 million
Didi Gregorius	$2 million
Tim Mayza	$1.75 million
Brooks Raley	$1.5 million
Zach Pop	$500,000
Dylan Moore	$350,000
TOTAL	$83.4 million

These figures should be treated as a preliminary estimate rather than $83.4 million in guaranteed new spending power. The actual impact will depend on the treatment of deferred payments, buyouts, contract accounting, arbitration salaries, replacement players and other payroll obligations.

The Phillies also have existing commitments to stars such as Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Zack Wheeler.

That means the front office cannot simply take the entire figure and distribute it among new free agents.

Nevertheless, there is an opportunity to redirect significant resources toward the positions that need the most improvement.

The priority should be getting better value from every dollar spent.

PRIORITY NO. 1: SIGN A QUALITY RIGHT-HANDED OUTFIELDER

If the Phillies want to improve their offense, adding a productive right-handed outfielder should be near the top of the list.

Philadelphia has relied heavily on its established offensive stars, but the lineup needs more consistent contributions from the supporting cast.

A right-handed outfielder who can hit for power, get on base and play dependable defense would give the Phillies greater balance.

It would also help prevent opposing managers from exploiting the lineup with favorable pitching matchups.

MY TOP TARGET: SEIYA SUZUKI

One name worth watching is .

Suzuki is an intriguing potential target because he offers right-handed power and experience against major-league pitching.

According to an October 11 report from North Penn Now, Suzuki hit 26 home runs, drove in 86 runs and posted an .841 OPS during the 2026 season. The report also highlighted his improved defensive performance in right field.

Those numbers would make him an appealing addition to Philadelphia’s lineup.

However, Suzuki could command a substantial multiyear contract, and the Phillies would need to weigh his projected salary against their other needs.

They should also carefully evaluate the defensive metrics, his long-term positional fit and the potential cost of signing a player who may receive a qualifying offer.

My verdict: Suzuki would be one of my preferred outfield targets if the price and contract length made sense. He could address Philadelphia’s need for right-handed production without requiring the team to rebuild its entire offensive identity.

ANOTHER OPTION: RANDY AROZARENA

is another name worth considering.

Arozarena brings postseason experience, power and the ability to create scoring opportunities.

He could give Philadelphia a different offensive look and provide a more aggressive presence in the outfield.

The concern is the cost. If multiple teams pursue him, the Phillies could face a bidding war that pushes the contract beyond what makes sense for their roster.

Philadelphia should establish a firm financial limit before entering negotiations.

The objective is to acquire an impact player, not win a bidding contest.

PRIORITY NO. 2: REBUILD THE BULLPEN WITH MULTIPLE QUALITY ARMS

The Phillies cannot afford to enter another season hoping their bullpen problems will resolve themselves.

Their relief corps needs more dependable options, particularly in high-leverage situations.

While José Alvarado has been an important part of the team’s recent success, his difficult 2026 campaign raises questions about whether he should remain a central part of the bullpen plan.

Brooks Raley also struggled after arriving in Philadelphia, while Tim Mayza’s performance gives the team a different situation to evaluate.

The organization should not assume that every struggling reliever needs to be discarded. However, it must be realistic about the need for better overall results.

My approach would be to sign at least two dependable relievers while exploring a third addition if the market offers good value.

That would provide more flexibility and reduce the pressure on any single pitcher.

TARGET NO. 1: ADRIAN MOREJON

could be an interesting option if he reaches the market at a reasonable price.

Morejón is a left-handed reliever whose ability to miss bats could make him a useful addition to Philadelphia’s bullpen.

The Phillies need pitchers who can handle difficult matchups against left-handed hitters without sacrificing effectiveness against right-handed opponents.

However, the team should evaluate his workload, durability, recent performance and expected contract before making a commitment.

A recognizable name is not enough. Philadelphia needs a pitcher whose underlying performance supports the investment.

TARGET NO. 2: JASON ADAM

is another potential target to monitor.

Adam has experience in important relief situations and could provide Philadelphia with another option for the late innings.

The key question is whether his availability and projected cost make him a realistic target.

If the Phillies can acquire an established reliever without committing an excessive amount of money or sacrificing valuable prospects, the move would make sense.

SHOULD THE PHILLIES BRING BACK JOSÉ ALVARADO?

This is where the decision becomes more complicated.

Alvarado has demonstrated that he can be an effective high-leverage reliever, but Philadelphia cannot ignore his 2026 struggles.

I would consider bringing him back only if the financial terms reflected the uncertainty surrounding his recent performance.

The Phillies should avoid making a major commitment based entirely on his previous success.

My bullpen plan: Add two established relievers, retain productive internal options and continue developing younger arms. The objective should be a bullpen with enough depth to survive injuries and enough quality to protect narrow leads in October.

PRIORITY NO. 3: SHOULD THE PHILLIES BRING BACK ALEC BOHM?

Alec Bohm might be the most difficult decision on Philadelphia’s offseason agenda.

The homegrown third baseman has produced valuable offensive seasons, but his future with the Phillies is uncertain because of his defensive limitations and the team’s changing infield alignment.

Bohm finished the 2026 regular season with a .249 batting average, a .315 on-base percentage, a .383 slugging percentage, 15 home runs and 88 RBIs.

His overall production was disappointing, although his performance improved during the latter part of the season. MLB.com highlighted his value as a right-handed run producer while also identifying his defensive fit as a significant complication.

That creates a genuine dilemma.

Bohm offers something the Phillies need: a right-handed hitter who can drive in runs.

However, the organization must determine whether his offensive production justifies a new contract and whether there is a defensive position where he can contribute without limiting the team’s flexibility.

Bryce Harper’s role at first base and the possibility of additional infield changes make that decision even more important.

MY VERDICT ON BOHM

I would not automatically let Bohm walk.

The Phillies should first establish what he is likely to cost, what alternatives are available and whether his projected production compares favorably with other right-handed hitters on the market.

If the contract is reasonable and Philadelphia can establish a workable defensive arrangement, retaining him deserves serious consideration.

But I would not give Bohm a large contract simply because he was drafted by the organization and has been part of its recent success.

My position: Keep Bohm if the price and roster fit make sense. Otherwise, redirect the money toward a more complete solution at third base or another position of need.

The Phillies must separate loyalty from roster construction.

PRIORITY NO. 4: DO NOT WASTE MONEY REPLACING PLAYERS JUST TO FILL ROSTER SPOTS

One of the biggest mistakes Philadelphia could make is treating its available payroll as a spending target.

The objective should not be to use every dollar immediately.

Instead, the Phillies should determine which positions need the most improvement and allocate their resources accordingly.

For example, replacing Castellanos with another expensive veteran who provides similar production would accomplish very little.

The same applies to the bullpen. Signing three relievers with uncertain performance records does not necessarily improve the team more than signing two dependable pitchers.

Philadelphia also needs to maintain enough financial flexibility to respond to injuries and opportunities that emerge during the season.

A well-constructed roster includes more than nine hitters and five starting pitchers. It requires depth, defensive versatility and players who can handle different roles.

The front office should therefore preserve some flexibility rather than committing all available resources before the market develops.

MY PHILLIES OFFSEASON PLAN: HOW I WOULD PRIORITIZE THE MONEY

If I were making the decisions, I would approach the offseason in this order.

Priority	Roster need	My preferred approach
1	Right-handed outfielder	Pursue Seiya Suzuki if the contract is reasonable
2	High-leverage reliever	Target an established arm such as Jason Adam if available
3	Second bullpen addition	Pursue a dependable left-handed reliever
4	Third base	Evaluate Bohm against the available alternatives
5	Bench depth	Retain or replace versatile players based on value
6	Financial flexibility	Reserve resources for midseason needs

This strategy addresses the most pressing weaknesses without forcing Philadelphia to make expensive decisions simply because money is coming off the books.

The exact budget allocation would depend on the final payroll, contract negotiations and the availability of suitable players.

I would also remain open to trades. Free agency is not the only way to improve the roster, and the right trade could provide a better solution than an expensive long-term contract.

THE BIGGEST MISTAKE THE PHILLIES MUST AVOID

Philadelphia cannot afford to confuse aggressive spending with effective roster building.

The team already has substantial money committed to its established core. That makes it even more important to ensure that new contracts address specific weaknesses.

The Phillies need a stronger outfield, a more reliable bullpen and a clear plan for the infield.

They also need to evaluate the long-term direction of the roster rather than treating each offseason as an isolated attempt to fix the latest disappointment.

A productive offseason will require discipline.

If Suzuki becomes too expensive, Philadelphia should have alternatives. If Bohm’s asking price exceeds his projected value, the organization should be prepared to move on. If the top relief pitchers command contracts that do not fit the budget, the Phillies should explore trades and less expensive options.

The objective is to improve the entire roster, not simply add the biggest names available.

FINAL VERDICT: SPEND SMART, NOT JUST BIG

The reported $83.4 million in salary coming off the books gives the Phillies an opportunity to reshape their roster, but it does not guarantee that the organization will have an equivalent amount available to spend.

Philadelphia must account for existing contracts, replacement salaries and other financial obligations before deciding how aggressively to pursue free agents.

My priorities would be clear: a quality right-handed outfielder, multiple dependable bullpen arms and a carefully evaluated decision on Alec Bohm.

Seiya Suzuki would be one of my preferred outfield targets. Jason Adam and Adrián Morejón are names worth monitoring for the bullpen, subject to availability and reasonable contract terms.

Bohm deserves consideration, but his future should depend on his price and defensive fit rather than sentiment.

The Phillies have enough established talent to remain competitive. Their challenge is finding the right supporting players and correcting the weaknesses that have repeatedly undermined their championship ambitions.