The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off a disappointing 2025 campaign in which their outfield underperformed, and the organization appears determined to rework that unit in a single offseason. Justin Crawford is widely expected to open the year as an everyday starter, while Adolis García is projected to join the club on a $10 million deal.
Even with those additions, Philadelphia may not be finished addressing the outfield. While high-profile free agents like Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger are unlikely targets, pursuing an outfielder via trade, particularly on a short-term rental, remains a logical option.
According to Francys Romero of beisbolfr.com, the Phillies have recently expressed interest in a potential $20 million rental who is only a few seasons removed from blasting 38 home runs with an AL Central team.
Phillies linked to $20 million, 38-homer outfielder
“Another team that has recently shown interest in Luis Robert Jr. is the Philadelphia Phillies, as reported by @Ken_Rosenthal and @WillSammon of The Athletic,” Romero wrote. “The Phillies were already evaluating Robert Jr. before the late July trade deadline.”
Philadelphia is one of several teams monitoring Robert’s situation, with the New York Mets also reportedly in the mix for a possible deal with the Chicago White Sox this winter.
Robert, a right-handed hitting outfielder, would bring a rare combination of power, defense, and speed to the Phillies’ lineup.
The lingering question is whether Philadelphia would still pursue Robert after committing $10 million to García. The addition of García could cool interest somewhat, since the Phillies would already have another right-handed bat in the outfield.
García is expected to slot into right field, leaving Crawford and Brandon Marsh to occupy the remaining spots. Marsh could emerge as a trade candidate this offseason, a move that would open the door for Philadelphia to acquire Robert.
Another option would be for the Phillies to heavily invest in the outfield and bring in Robert to share time with either Crawford or Marsh. While that approach would not be inexpensive, it would represent a complete transformation of the outfield in one offseason.
The White Sox have reportedly shown a willingness to cover part of Robert Jr.’s contract, and Philadelphia may not need to part with one of its top prospects to finalize a deal.
Although the fit may seem awkward after the García signing, the Phillies could still make it work. Philadelphia should not be counted out in the Robert sweepstakes just yet, as Dave Dombrowski could dramatically reshape the outfield with one bold trade.