Postseason Struggles Prompt Roster Questions
The Philadelphia Phillies suffered a 6-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card series on Thursday, marking another early departure from the postseason. This defeat extends a recent trend for the franchise, which has failed to advance past the National League Division Series (NLDS) in each of the last three postseasons.
Philadelphia holds a 3-8 record across those three playoff appearances since losing the 2022 World Series to the Houston Astros and reaching Game 7 of the 2023 NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Following the loss, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal argued that the team needs to take "dramatic action" during the upcoming offseason.
In a column for The Athletic, Rosenthal wrote that Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski should not rule out trading two-time National League MVP Bryce Harper or four-time All-Star Kyle Schwarber. Rosenthal clarified that he is not explicitly recommending the team move either player but argued that the possibility cannot be ignored.
"Trading Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber? Don’t love the idea, but everything needs to be under consideration. Everything," Rosenthal stated in his analysis of the team's future direction.
Roster Age and Defensive Concerns
A central component of Rosenthal’s argument is the age of the Phillies' core group. He noted that prominent players including Harper, Schwarber, Trea Turner, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and J.T. Realmuto are all 33 years old or older.
The columnist described the current roster as inconsistent offensively and "shoddy defensively." Additionally, Rosenthal criticized the front office's historical approach to relief pitching, describing the team as being "haunted by Dombrowski’s historic inability to build a quality bullpen."
Regarding Turner, who plays shortstop, Rosenthal suggested moving him to center field. He called this a decision that "should be automatic, assuming the Phillies can’t trade him," though he did not provide specific details on how Turner might adjust to the new position.
Contractual and Personal Hurdles
While Rosenthal suggested the Phillies need to "kick around the idea" of trading one of their star hitters, he acknowledged that executing such a move would be difficult due to complex contract terms and personal circumstances.
Harper holds full no-trade protection and is owed $118 million over five seasons. Schwarber gained full no-trade rights after accumulating 10 years of service and is owed $120 million over four seasons.
Convincing Harper to leave would be particularly challenging given his personal life; he and his wife Kayla have become parents of four children since joining the Phillies. The article notes that it would be a major surprise not to see Harper and Schwarber in a Phillies uniform next season, with owner John Middleton holding a strong affection for both players.
Market Realities and Player Profiles
If either player were to move, the logistics would vary significantly based on their market value and defensive capabilities. Schwarber is described as strictly a designated hitter who does not offer defensive utility, though he remains one of the most potent bats in the league with 232 home runs over the past five seasons.
For Harper to join teams such as the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, or the Athletics—who will play one more season in West Sacramento before moving to Las Vegas in 2028—he would likely require a contract extension. The complexity of these financial and contractual obligations underscores the difficulty of the "dramatic action" Rosenthal suggests the front office must consider.