SHOCKING MOVE: Phillies Have Agreed a Shocking Move to Land Former Silver Slugger In Free Agency This Offseason

With just five weeks left in the 2024 MLB regular season, the focus is shifting to the playoffs and the upcoming offseason. The Philadelphia Phillies’ postseason performance will significantly influence their plans for roster improvements this winter.

Since July, the core players who have been with the team for several seasons have struggled. The trade deadline, which is usually an opportunity to bolster an already solid roster, did not bring the necessary reinforcements. The front office missed out on acquiring some key players who have since thrived with their new teams.

If the Phillies fail to win the World Series and experience an early playoff exit, such as a loss in the NL Wild Card or Divisional Series, it could lead to significant changes in the roster and coaching staff. This would be seen as a step backward after their unexpected appearance in the 2022 World Series.

The Phillies’ outfield has been inconsistent offensively throughout the regular season. If they don’t make a deep playoff run and the outfielders struggle at the plate in the postseason, the front office is likely to make changes in that area during the offseason.

Phillies Eye Slugging Free Agent Outfielder Anthony Santander

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand recently ranked the top 10 free agents for 2025, with Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander coming in at sixth. The Phillies are one of three teams Feinsand identified as potential suitors for Santander.

Feinsand notes that the Orioles’ abundance of young outfield talent could make Santander’s departure likely this offseason. The Venezuelan native, who became an All-Star for the first time this year, has hit a career-high 38 home runs this season, fitting the mold of a typical power hitter like Phillies’ designated hitter Kyle Schwarber. Santander has a slash line of .235/.302/.519 in 126 games, though he has also struck out over 100 times in each of the last three seasons, including 105 in 2024.

Throughout his eight-year MLB career, all with the Orioles, Santander has primarily played right field, appearing in 489 games at the position. He has also served as a designated hitter in 130 games, played 90 games in left field, 24 in center, and 12 at first base.

A Power-Hitter with Experience

Santander recently made headlines by hitting a grand slam in the late innings of an Aug. 23 game against the Astros, securing a win for Baltimore. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde praised Santander’s composure in high-pressure situations, noting that his experience allows him to remain calm and deliver in clutch moments.

If the Phillies sign Santander this winter, fans can expect plenty of home runs and strikeouts from the 29-year-old outfielder. He set a career-high with 41 doubles in 2023 and recorded a personal best of 95 RBIs last year. With 86 RBIs this season, he is on track to surpass his previous record for the second consecutive year.

Phillies fans, who are accustomed to the team’s homer-heavy and strikeout-prone lineup, would likely welcome Santander’s power-hitting abilities at Citizens Bank Park. Despite his tendency to strike out, his veteran presence and power at the plate make him a strong candidate to fit in well with the team.