The Phillies’ offseason has felt like a bit of a roller coaster with some highs, some lows, and not quite the thrill fans were hoping for. While they did manage to land a few big names, the overall moves didn’t exactly set the fanbase buzzing.

Well, the biggest win was clearly Kyle Schwarber. Despite heavy competition, the Phillies locked up one of the league’s top hitters heading into 2025. But on the flip side, losing out on Bo Bichette to the Mets was a real gut punch, something Dave Dombrowski himself admitted. And even with Schwarber in the fold, MLB insider Jon Heyman suggests there’s another challenge quietly looming.

One that could be the very reason the Phillies miss the playoffs in 2026.

“I’ll throw throughout the Phillies. They’re getting a little bit older. I mean, I’m not gonna say the Phillies aren’t gonna make it for sure. But if I were asked two teams, those are the two I’m going to pick,” Heyman shared via X.

So, beyond their offseason moves, there’s another issue hanging over the Phillies, and it’s a big one. Reportedly, the Phillies roster is getting older, and that’s where Heyman believes things could really start to hurt their playoff chances. For the unversed, the Phillies head into the 2026 season with one of the most experienced lineups in MLB, averaging about 30.5 years old!

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In comparison, the Nationals are the youngest team with an average age of 26.3!

Well, having veterans is great, but it also comes with risk. More experience usually means more mileage, and that’s where the concern creeps in. The Phillies now rank among the older lineups in baseball, which raises questions about how sustainable this group really is and whether they need an injection of youth sooner rather than later.

With key players like Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto entering their mid-30s, the pressure to win right now is intense, especially given the increased risk of age-related decline.

So while the spotlight shines on a few marquee names, the Phillies are quietly dealing with a serious underlying problem. That said, there may still be a path forward. A strong trade deadline could help patch some holes.

Remember, last season they were aggressive and saw real payoff, strengthening both the bullpen and the outfield by trading for elite closer Jhoan Durán and center fielder Harrison Bader from the Twins. Now, if they can pull off similar late-season moves again, a playoff spot is still within reach. Until then, though, the aging roster remains the biggest risk hovering over the Phillies.

The Phillies’ 2026 roster is still far from being perfect

While the aging roster is an obvious concern, it’s far from being the only headache the Phillies are dealing with. Take center field, for example, there’s real uncertainty there. Outside of Brandon Marsh, the Phillies don’t have a clear, proven everyday option at the MLB level.

They’re betting on top prospect Justin Crawford to do the job, but that’s something he’ll have to earn during Spring Training. Then the addition of Adolis García on a one-year deal helps as a temporary fix, but it doesn’t fully solve the problem. Especially when you consider that the Phillies’ outfield ranked just 18th in MLB in OPS in 2025, meaning production has to take a noticeable jump this season if they want to stay competitive.

So no matter how many marquee players are in, the Phillies are far from a finished product in 2026.

There’s talent on the roster, but also plenty of holes and uncertainty. Still, if history is any indication, the trade deadline could be their lifeline. If things break right and the front office gets aggressive again, there’s a chance these issues can be patched up. But until then, the flaws are hard to ignore.