This offseason, the Philadelphia Phillies face key decisions regarding how to build their roster after a relatively quiet winter last year that proved problematic down the stretch. With two major stars hitting free agency, the Phillies will need to target impactful outfielders and bolster their bullpen. However, strengthening the overall depth of the roster is equally important, especially given the aging core that will be asked to perform over the long season ahead.
Recently, the team made moves to clear space on their roster by outrighting five players: pitchers Kolby Allard, Yunior Marte, Freddy Tarnok, and Luis Ortiz, along with infielder Rodolfo Castro. Allard and Marte’s departures are particularly notable since both played significant roles for the team in 2023. Allard made seven appearances, including five starts, posting a 5.00 ERA over 27 innings.
Despite some solid outings, he was unable to secure a permanent spot in the rotation. Marte, who had been with the team since 2023 following a trade with the San Francisco Giants, struggled in the bullpen, posting a 5.79 ERA with a concerning 4.4 BB/9 rate and 1.730 WHIP, which hindered his ability to become a reliable option.
Tarnok, acquired off waivers from the Oakland Athletics, was with the team for a short time but never appeared in a Major League game. Ortiz, plagued by injuries throughout the season, managed only one MLB appearance due to shoulder and ankle issues. Castro, who was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the trade deadline in 2023, played just 14 games with the Phillies before spending most of 2024 in the minors, where he suffered a thumb ligament injury.
While the loss of these five players is significant, particularly Allard and Marte, the Phillies have also made moves to strengthen their roster. They claimed reliever John McMillan off waivers from the Miami Marlins, selected Alan Rangel to their 40-man roster, and traded for bullpen arm Devin Sweet from the Detroit Tigers. These additions show the team’s commitment to reinforcing their pitching staff, which will be critical as they look to improve their chances in a competitive division. How the Phillies round out their roster this offseason will be pivotal in their pursuit of success in 2024.
