The Philadelphia Phillies received a significant development on Tuesday that could shape the rest of their offseason strategy.
Both Kyle Schwarber and Ranger Suarez—now officially free agents—declined the one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offers extended to them, opting instead to explore free agency. With their decisions final, the Phillies can either attempt to negotiate multi-year contracts to bring them back or begin preparing for life without two major contributors.
“Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said in October that he would like to bring back not only Schwarber and Suarez, but also fellow free agents J.T. Realmuto and Harrison Bader,” Paul Casella reported for MLB.com. “Among that group, though, Schwarber and Realmuto are believed to be the club’s top priorities.” Their departures do not close the door on a return, but they do force the front office to approach negotiations with a more strategic, long-term focus.
As Philadelphia sorts out which of its free agents might return, the team must also take stock of other key areas on the roster. In the outfield, the situation appears to be trending toward a separation from Nick Castellanos, who is entering the final year of his contract and expressed visible frustration with decreased playing time in 2025. That tension, paired with the team’s desire for improved defensive reliability and lineup consistency, has made his future in Philadelphia increasingly uncertain.
The infield also presents some questions. Alec Bohm, who earned his first All-Star appearance in 2024, struggled to replicate that level of production last season and saw his offensive numbers regress. Bryson Stott also experienced a downturn, with his WAR slipping notably. Both players remain valuable, but neither is guaranteed long-term security if the Phillies identify opportunities to upgrade or reshape their infield alignment.
While the headlines focused on the decisions of Schwarber and Suarez, the Phillies quietly made a depth-building move on Tuesday by signing infielder Liover Peguero to a minor-league contract. Peguero spent the past four years with the Pittsburgh Pirates and brings both youth and experience, making him a potential contributor down the line.
“Peguero, 24, was once considered a top 100 prospect and saw big league action with the Pirates in parts of five seasons, posting a .646 OPS in 96 games at SS, 2B and 1B,” Just Baseball’s Aram Leighton wrote in breaking the news. His most productive major-league season came in 2023, during which he appeared in 59 games and produced a .237/.280/.374 slash line.
Peguero’s defensive flexibility gives the Phillies a useful insurance policy. If he performs well in spring training or at Triple-A, he could provide valuable support for the infield or even earn a bigger role later in the season. Should the Phillies find a compelling trade opportunity involving Bohm, for example, Edmundo Sosa could take over at third base while Peguero becomes a bench utility piece capable of handling multiple positions.
Although the Phillies still face major decisions—including the futures of several marquee free agents—the addition of Peguero gives them a quietly intriguing option. His presence adds depth, upside, and versatility as the team continues shaping its 2026 roster and looks for ways to remain competitive in the National League.