After a heart-wrenching end to last October’s playoffs, the Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up for the regular season with a mix of determination and high expectations. Fans are buzzing about what moves the team could make to solidify its roster, especially after missing out on one of the most talked-about free agents of the offseason. Philadelphia knows that to repeat as NL East champions—and to make a serious World Series run—they’ll need both strategic acquisitions and stability in key positions, particularly in the starting rotation.
This offseason, the Phillies generated significant excitement around Bo Bichette, who had strong ties to the organization.
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Bichette-Phillies meeting went very well. Bichette reportedly admired the “first-class” nature of the organization, while other draws included the roster, the ballpark, the Mattingly connection, and the proximity of spring training to his home. Questions lingered about whether the Phillies would need to trade Alec Bohm or offer a lower-value contract than Bichette might receive elsewhere. Competing suitors included the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, and more.
Despite the excitement, the Phillies ultimately lost out on Bichette, who signed with NL East rival New York Mets. The signing gave the Mets a major offseason victory and fueled the division rivalry. Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski admitted missing out on Bichette stung.
“I thought we were close… it was a gut punch. But until you have a signed memo of understanding, you don’t have a deal,” Dombrowski said.
Looking ahead, the Phillies may turn to a trade within the division to strengthen their rotation—particularly with the potential acquisition of Sandy Alcántara.
Christopher Kline of FanSided noted that the Phillies’ rotation will be key, especially in October. With Zack Wheeler expected to miss time early in the season, Philadelphia could be left relying on Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker, and the inexperienced Andrew Painter—a less-than-ideal setup. Alcántara, a former Cy Young winner, could provide the stability they need. The Miami Marlins, a team willing to trade major pieces in recent offseasons, could be a potential partner. Alcántara is owed $17.3 million in 2026, with a $21 million club option in 2027.
Adding Alcántara would give the Phillies a powerful trio of right-handed pitchers, even if he struggled last season coming off injury. He could serve as a steady presence in the rotation until Wheeler returns.
Having claimed the NL East title for the second straight year, Philadelphia is clearly eyeing a three-peat—but the ultimate goal remains crystal clear: doing whatever it takes to make it back to the World Series.