Philadelphia Phillies Predicted to Bring Back Key Free Agent This Offseason

The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to re-sign one of their key free agents this offseason, according to MLB writer Andy McCullough. The team has been consistently strong in the regular season over the past several years, improving their win total for six consecutive seasons (excluding the shortened 2020 campaign). However, they have struggled to turn that success into postseason triumph, failing to capture another World Series title after reaching the Fall Classic in 2022 and falling short in the NLCS and NLDS in the following years.

As the Phillies look to avoid another early postseason exit, the front office is exploring ways to improve the roster, including the possibility of trading All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm. With many key players aging, it makes sense to explore all options, including free agency.

One player who is likely to return is reliever Jeff Hoffman, who made a significant impact after being signed to a minor-league deal in 2023. Hoffman emerged as a high-leverage arm and earned an All-Star nod in 2024, and while he will likely command a higher salary, the Phillies are expected to bring him back.

Along with Hoffman, Carlos Estevez, whom the Phillies acquired from the Los Angeles Angels, is also a free agent. Estevez is drawing interest from other teams, some of whom may want to transition him back to a starting role to boost his value. The Phillies will need to prioritize re-signing Hoffman, as his presence in the bullpen has been crucial for manager Rob Thomson. Letting him go would leave a significant gap in the bullpen, especially when considering what to do with Estevez.