The way the season ended for the Philadelphia Phillies was heartbreaking. And the scars will remain. The only thing that will make it stop hurting is to get everything they missed out on this season. The Phillies’ front office will have to be among the best this offseason. But the problem is that, with the rumored free agents and other things, it is not giving the confidence it should.

In a recent piece by The Athletic, they talked about the power rankings for the 2026 season. Although it is very early and nothing can be told right now, they ranked the Phillies seventh in the list. They wrote, “The Phillies have had the same core for a few years now, but it’s starting to fall apart as Schwarber, Realmuto and Suárez head for free agency… Zack Wheeler is also facing some uncertainty coming off… surgery and approaching his 36th birthday… A strong regular season followed by a playoff letdown has become the norm… is their competitive window closing?”

The Phillies’ offseason has opened with uncertainty surrounding nearly their entire core.

Nine veterans, including Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Ranger Suarez, are free agents after combining for over 12 WAR in 2025. Schwarber hit 56 home runs and drove in 132 runs, while Realmuto continued to anchor the pitching staff despite a .700 OPS. Losing multiple key players at once has raised questions about how much longer this group can realistically contend.

This past season was viewed as their best shot at another World Series run. Philadelphia won 96 games, its most since 2011, yet fell 3–1 to the Dodgers in the NLDS for the second straight year. The roster’s balance of star hitters and a deep rotation looked built for October, but injuries and inconsistency struck late.

Zack Wheeler’s health was a particular concern after a late-season setback, and at 35, his durability remains uncertain heading into 2026.

Now, with the team slipping to seventh in early power rankings, doubts are starting to grow.

President Dave Dombrowski admitted payroll limits, saying they won’t approach $400 million but will stay aggressive in upgrades. The front office expects to pursue value additions while weighing costly extensions for Schwarber and Realmuto. It’s still early, and if they manage to retool wisely, the Phillies could stay in contention rather than start over.

The Philadelphia Phillies know sentiment doesn’t win championships; only smart moves and sharper decisions do. Dave Dombrowski has the money, the motive, and a roster begging for one last run. If Schwarber, Realmuto, and Suarez walk, Philly’s window won’t close quietly; it’ll slam with echoing regret.

The Phillies are rumored to lose their star pitcher to the Mets

Some stories in baseball feel inevitable, like the sun rising, or the Mets throwing money at a problem. The Philadelphia Phillies spent all season flexing their depth and grit, only to find out that loyalty costs more than talent. Now, as winter approaches, one of their biggest arms might be packing for Queens, and Philly’s front office seems oddly fine with it.

Ranger Suarez enters free agency after another strong season with Philadelphia, posting a 3.18 ERA in 30 starts. The 30-year-old left-hander gave the Phillies 179 innings and 167 strikeouts, anchoring a rotation that carried them deep into October.

Despite his consistency, reports from Bleacher Report suggest the Phillies may not match his expected market value. With top prospect Andrew Painter nearing a return, the team appears prepared to shift its focus forward.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report projected Suarez to sign a six-year deal with the New York Mets. The Mets finished outside the postseason in 2025 and urgently need a reliable frontline starter.

Suarez’s durability and poise in high-pressure games make him a natural fit for a rotation searching for identity. If the deal happens, it would strengthen New York’s pitching staff and leave Philadelphia with a significant hole to fill.

If Ranger Suarez ends up in New York, Philadelphia will feel his absence quickly. The Mets would finally get the stability they’ve chased through years of expensive experiments. And if history repeats itself, the Phillies might just watch their old star dominate from across the division.