Phillies offseason tracker: Free agency news, trades, key dates, and the latest on the lockout
After another early playoff exit, the Phillies have a lot of needs to address while navigating a looming lockout. We’re keeping track of a busy offseason here.
Now that the Milwaukee Brewers have hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy as 2026 World Series champions, the MLB offseason can truly begin.
This winter, however, will be different from most, with the looming expiration of MLB’s collective bargaining agreement on Dec. 1. As the hot stove heats up and questions around an impending lockout swirl, we’re keeping track of the latest Phillies and MLB news and updates.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Will there be a lockout, and if so, when?
If the league and the Players Association are unable to strike an agreement on a CBA by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 1, it’s expected that the owners will then authorize a lockout. The main sticking point in negotiations has been the owners’ insistence on a salary cap, something the Players Association has long fiercely opposed.
It’s unknown how long the standoff could last. When the previous CBA expired in 2022, the lockout lasted 99 days, which delayed Opening Day by a week but preserved all 162 regular season games. Those negotiations, however, weren’t centered around a cap like the current ones are.
The owners’ last major push for a hard salary cap came in 1994, which resulted in a 232-day strike by the players and the cancellation of that year’s World Series.
Though Garrett Stubbs is a free agent as of Nov. 2, he expects to stay as the Phillies’ representative for the Players Association, and as a result, involved in the labor negotiations.
In a recent conversation on Phillies Extra, The Inquirer’s baseball podcast, he put it simply: “I am not optimistic about when we’re going to start, and it’s super unfortunate.”
Nov. 9-12: General managers meetings in Las Vegas
Nov. 17: Deadline to protect players from Rule 5 draft
Nov. 17-19: Owners meetings in New York
Dec. 1: CBA expires at 11:59 p.m.
Dec. 2: Potential lockout begins
Dec. 8: MLB draft lottery order determined*
Dec. 7-9: Winter meetings in San Diego*
Jan. 19: Hall of Fame player ballot announcement for Class of 2027
*Cancelled if there is a lockout.
How will a lockout impact player movement this offseason?
During a lockout, all player movement is frozen. Players are also unable to communicate with their own teams, including their coaching staff, until a new CBA is reached.
That means the free agency period, which officially began on Monday, will be compressed this year. With a salary cap at the center of negotiations, it’s possible many free agents and teams will want to sign deals quickly before a new CBA brings any potential changes — and limitations. Expect a busy November.
» READ MORE: A (likely long) lockout looms again for MLB. Why a salary cap is at the center of it all. Again.
“I think one of the tricky questions for me is, I don’t know what the rules are going to be next year,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said at his end-of-season news conference.
What moves have the Phillies made so far?
The Phillies re-signed left-handed reliever Tim Mayza to a one-year, $2.75 million deal on 0ct. 16, keeping the Allentown native with his hometown club. Mayza had a 3.48 ERA in 67⅓ innings with the Phillies in 2026.
They made some changes to the coaching staff, bringing in Carlos Mendoza as infield and third base coach, and hiring Peter Fatse as hitting coach. Joe Cronin will join the staff as assistant hitting coach, while the Phillies retained Edwar Gonzalez in the same role. Mendoza is the former manager of the Mets, while Fatse and Cronin previously worked on Alex Cora’s staff on the Red Sox.
Which Phillies are free agents?
The Phillies have eight departing free agents:
Second baseman Luis Arraez (.310 batting average; .765 OPS in 151 games in 2026)
First/third baseman Alec Bohm (.249 batting average; .698 OPS in 155 games)
Right fielder Adolis García (.195 batting average, .599 OPS in 67 games)
Catcher Garrett Stubbs (.153 batting average, .368 OPS in 35 games)
Utility player Edmundo Sosa (.247 batting average, .712 OPS in 84 games)
Left-handed reliever José Alvarado (5.86 ERA in 58⅓ innings)
Left-handed reliever Brooks Raley (3.25 ERA in 52⅔ innings)
Left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. (Did not appear in the majors)
Which Phillies could be traded?
Many options could be on the table for the Phillies this winter, and there are a few major leaguers who might benefit from a change of scenery if they choose to go the trade route.
The Phillies signaled a lack of confidence in Orion Kerkering with a September demotion to triple A after his extended struggles reached a fever pitch. The organization sent him down knowing the move would most likely preclude Kerkering, formerly viewed as one of their top high-leverage arms, from being on the wild-card roster.
» READ MORE: Will the Phillies spend to beef up the middle of the order? Here are some free-agent options.
If another team thinks a fresh start could benefit the 25-year-old right-hander, the Phillies might be able to get a decent return for a pitcher with a career 3.47 ERA.
Another change-of-scenery candidate could be Brandon Marsh, who followed up an All-Star caliber first half with a brutal second half. He went from a .301 hitter before the break on July 10 to a .184 average in the second half and lost his everyday role. Marsh, who will be 29 next season, will be a free agent in 2028, so if the Phillies want to change their outfield mix and try to get at least something in return, now might be the time.
The current Phillies with no-trade clauses and/or holding 10-and-5 rights who can’t be moved without giving permission are Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and J.T. Realmuto.
What are the Phillies’ biggest needs this offseason?
What don’t the Phillies need this offseason? Just like the past few winters, they will be shopping for an outfielder as Harper will move back to first base from his temporary stint in right field.
With Bohm and Arraez potentially departing, the Phillies also need some infield reinforcements. Top infield prospect Aidan Miller is back in action after a back injury cost him most of the minor league season, but the Phillies need some other options until he is ready to take on an everyday major league role.
The bullpen needs help, as well. While they have a solid foundation with closer Jhoan Duran and breakout right-handers Alex McFarlane and Jonathan Bowlan, they need dependable high-leverage left-handed options, too. Re-signing Mayza was just the first step.
The rotation is set, but the Phillies are in dire need of starting pitching depth. In the event of an injury or other issue with their top five starters, they do not have many options waiting in the wings.
Add a backup catcher to the list, too. The Phillies want to reduce Realmuto’s workload in 2027, and they need a dependable option to take over some of those innings.
As the Phillies’ representative in the players’ union, Garrett Stubbs is on the front lines of baseball’s upcoming labor dispute. The backup catcher, who was designated for assignment on Thursday, joined Phillies Extra to discuss why the players won’t go for a salary cap, sitting in on early negotiations, when baseball might be played in 2027, and (spoiler!) his plans to create content during the looming lockout. Watch here. Watch here.
You can also subscribe to the podcast version of Phillies Extra on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Previous episodes: Tim Mayza | Aidan Miller | Scott Franzke | Larry Andersen | Matt Klentak | Jeff Francoeur | Luke Murton | Mike Hazen | Tony Gwynn Jr. | Kevin Stocker
