The Philadelphia Phillies are entering the 2026 season with a looming question mark over their starting rotation. With ace Zack Wheeler expected to open the year on the injured list and Ranger Suarez departing in free agency, the team is suddenly thin on experienced arms. Currently, their rotation options are limited to Taijuan Walker and promising young talent Andrew Painter—but relying solely on them is a gamble. Walker is solid but inconsistent, and Painter, while talented, is still proving he can handle the grind of a full MLB season. That leaves the Phillies in urgent need of a veteran presence to stabilize the staff and give the team a real shot at competing early in the year.
Enter Zack Littell, the veteran right-hander whose name is quietly emerging as a potential game-changer for Philadelphia. Fansided’s Zachary Rotman suggests the Phillies could quietly become a dark horse candidate to land Littell this offseason. With Wheeler sidelined and Suarez gone, Littell would bring immediate depth to a rotation that desperately needs it, while also serving as a dependable backend starter once Wheeler returns to full health. For a team that wants to avoid early-season chaos, adding a reliable arm like Littell could be the difference between treading water and staying competitive in the National League East.
Rotman explains, “The Phillies are facing a rotation shortage. While Walker may give them innings and Painter could be MLB-ready, neither is a guaranteed solution. Littell isn’t ideal in a hitter-friendly park like Philadelphia, as he can be vulnerable to home runs, but when depth is this scarce, teams can’t afford to be picky. Littell brings stability and experience at a time the Phillies need both most.”
The numbers back up the claim. Last season, Littell posted a 10-8 record with a 3.81 ERA, 130 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.104 across 186 innings. Those stats make him a strong option for a team in need of a depth starter—arguably more reliable than what either Walker or Painter could produce under pressure in the early months of the season. His experience could allow the Phillies to bridge the gap until their stars return, keeping the rotation competitive and giving the bullpen a chance to avoid overwork.
On the financial side, Littell is projected to command a three-year, $39 million deal. But with Spring Training only just getting underway and his market yet to heat up, Philadelphia might be able to negotiate a shorter-term “rental” deal, giving them flexibility while shoring up their rotation. The window to act may not stay open for long, though—other teams facing rotation troubles could swoop in, and the Phillies, as a dark horse, need to move quickly if they want Littell on their roster.
For a team looking to contend in a stacked division, this move could quietly be one of the smartest of the offseason. Securing a veteran like Littell could provide the Phillies with the stability, depth, and confidence they need to survive the early months, and perhaps even push them past the competition in the playoff race. Philadelphia may not be making the loudest moves this offseason, but adding Littell could be a subtle, high-impact maneuver that pays dividends when it matters most.