The Philadelphia Phillies had a very, very tough offseason. For one moment, the Phillies thought that they were getting better with the signing of Bo Bichette. But ever since that trade dropped, things have not been smooth. And the main question is, are the Phillies even at the same level as they were in 2025?

And according to  Scott Lauber certainly thinks that the team is nowhere near 2025.

In his recent piece, Lauber wrote, “Not even Rob Thomson can say yes.” He continued, “The Phillies did lose mainstay starter Ranger Suárez and trade-deadline spark Harrison Bader in free agency… Are they better? Not yet, but check back.”

The Phillies’ 2026 offseason has unfolded as a long, uneven stretch rather than a series of decisive moves, with marquee acquisitions largely missing compared to expectations.

Philadelphia re‑signed power hitter Kyle Schwarber to a 5‑year, $150 million contract, but other impact free agents, such as top hitters or frontline starters, never materialized. The club’s additions beyond Schwarber mainly consist of one‑year veteran outfielder Adolis García and mid‑tier bullpen arms like Brad Keller on a 2‑year, $22 million deal.

News served to you like never before!

Prefer us on Google, To get latest news on feed

Prefer Us on Google

While these moves fill depth spots, nothing approaches a transformational impact on the roster.

Despite the lack of game‑changing moves, manager Rob Thomson has publicly defended the construction of the current roster and expressed optimism about 2026.

Thomson has highlighted roughly 20–25 % roster turnover, including three relievers, a new right fielder, and young contributors like prospect Justin Crawford getting chances to play. He also argues that returning closer Jhoan Duran for a full season should strengthen late‑inning pitching, as Duran posted a strong 2.06 ERA with 32 saves in 2025.

Still, his confidence sits against a backdrop of losses and uncertainty that fans feel keenly.

The departure of key veterans has underscored how rough this winter has been. Left‑hander Ranger Suárez, who posted a 12‑8 record and 3.20 ERA over 157.1 innings with a 4.7 WAR in 2025, signed a 5‑year, $130 million deal with the Red Sox.

Suárez’s consistency and workload made him one of the rotation’s most reliable pieces, and his exit leaves a clear hole. Likewise, Harrison Bader, who hit .305 with the Phillies in 50 games, declined his mutual option and signed a two‑year deal with the Giants.

His strong bat and elite defense bolstered Philadelphia’s outfield in 2025, and losing that stabilizing influence hurts depth.

Without Suárez anchoring the rotation’s left side, the Phillies currently project a less certain group of starters.

Philadelphia’s 2025 rotation featured Suárez alongside Cristopher Sánchez (2.50 ERA, 8.0 WAR) and Jesús Luzardo (3.92 ERA, 3.9 WAR), followed by Aaron Nola and Taijuan Walker.

Now the club must test rookies like Andrew Painter, who struggled to a 5.26 ERA in Triple‑A, to fill that void. Even with Sanchez and Luzardo returning, the rotation is objectively shallower without Suárez’s proven innings and consistency.

At the plate, the loss of Bader further compounds the offseason’s frustrations. Bader’s .305 average and elite defense helped raise the Philadelphia Phillies’ outfield production in 2025, lifting both on‑base and slugging rates after his midseason arrival.

His departure forces remaining bats like Schwarber and returning stars to shoulder more offensive responsibility, at a time when veterans like J.T. Realmuto and Bryce Harper are arguably past their career peaks.

If Philadelphia fails to add impactful pieces before Opening Day, this season could test both fan patience and roster resilience far more than expected.

The Phillies are rumored to acquire a star outfielder from the Guardians to improve the team

After a winter defined by departures and thin additions, urgency now feels unavoidable in Philadelphia. The Phillies and Guardians are quietly circling each other, and Steven Kwan’s name keeps resurfacing. If this rumor holds weight, it directly answers the concerns raised about that uneven offseason.

Philadelphia targets Steven Kwan after his durable 156-game 2025 season with the Cleveland Guardians roster.

He averaged .272 with 11 homers and 21 stolen bases across those 156 appearances overall. He scored 81 runs and drove in 56 RBIs while posting a .705 OPS mark. Defensively, he secured consecutive Gold Glove Awards in left field during recent award voting cycles.

Cleveland controls him through 2027 on arbitration salaries below market rates for comparable outfield production.

The Philadelphia Phillies offer Moises Chace after his 3.24 ERA in Double A across 16.2 innings pitched. Chace recorded 19 strikeouts against 12 walks during those outings in the 2025 minor league season. Keaton Anthony hit .323 across 82 games between Double A and Triple A in 2025.

Gage Wood was drafted 26th overall and pitched in Single A during first professional season. Wood features a mid 90s fastball with strikeout potential noted by scouting reports from 2025.

Cleveland gains three controllable prospects to extend organizational depth beyond 2025 at multiple roster levels. Moving Kwan after 156 games maximizes value before 2027 control expires under the arbitration salary structure.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia adds 21 stolen bases and 81 runs scored from Kwan’s 2025 stat line. His .330 on-base percentage supports hitters behind him daily in the 2025 batting order.

The exchange balances present production with future pitching and infield upside across both farm systems.