The Philadelphia Phillies enter the offseason facing numerous decisions and several roster gaps that must be addressed. A major priority will be figuring out how to keep Kyle Schwarber, who remains one of the most influential voices in their clubhouse. Beyond that, the front office has to confront lingering issues in the outfield and consider whether the starting rotation needs reinforcement. Another concern is the status of J. T. Realmuto, who is set to hit free agency and could leave the team without its longtime catcher. All of these uncertainties suggest that the Phillies will be heavily involved in transactions throughout the winter.
Even though free agency has captured most of the public attention, the trade market has been extremely active. Philadelphia might find it advantageous to look there for solutions, especially given the number of talented players whose names have surfaced as possible trade candidates for the coming months.
A recently suggested trade scenario envisions the Phillies acquiring Jarren Duran, though the cost would be significant. Improving the outfield will be one of the organization’s top priorities. Harrison Bader and Max Kepler are both free agents, and the club is expected to move on from Nick Castellanos before the 2026 season, which leaves them with considerable work to do. One realistic path would be negotiating with the Boston Red Sox for Duran, but doing so would require a substantial offer. Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer argues that Philadelphia would likely need to surrender Aidan Miller, who ranks as their second best prospect.
According to March, “Boston already has a logjam in its outfield, and top outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia is near MLB ready. That makes the Red Sox logical trade partners for the Phillies, who need outfield help.” This situation gives Boston flexibility, but it also puts pressure on Philadelphia to decide how aggressive it wants to be.
Letting go of their second ranked prospect would be a steep price, but the Phillies are operating in a competitive window that will not remain open forever. The team requires immediate upgrades, and although Miller is projected to reach the major leagues by 2026, he might not be polished enough to contribute at the level the Phillies need. Duran, on the other hand, has already proven himself, and he comes with three more seasons of team control, making him a valuable and timely option for a roster trying to contend right now.