Phillies next roster move could be trade after Dave Dombrowski teased future plans

2026-02-09 · Yahoo Sports

Phillies next roster move could be trade after Dave Dombrowski teased future plans originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

This offseason has been a roller coaster for the Philadelphia Phillies. On one hand, they added Brad Keller and Adolis Garcia, along with re-signing Kyle Schwarber.

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But, after missing out on Bo Bichette to the New York Mets and overpaying to re-sign J.T. Realmuto, the offseason took a turn for the worse.

While the offseason might be coming to an end, the Phillies aren't going to stop adding. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Dave Dombrowski teased the next roster move expected to come for the Phillies, and it involves a trade.

Phillies next roster move teased by Dave Dombrowski

"Dave Dombrowski says the Phillies will look for starting pitching depth this spring and anticipates there will be more trade activity than usual with the late-developing free-agent market," Nightengale reports.

The Phillies getting involved in the starting pitching market, either in a trade or free agency, makes a lot of sense heading into the 2026 season.

While Andrew Painter might be on the Opening Day roster, alongside Aaron Nola, Jesus Luzardo, Cristopher Sanchez, and Taijuan Walker, there is some uncertainty there.

Adding that Zack Wheeler won't be ready right away, and the Phillies rotation could, at worst, use another depth option who's Major League ready to begin the season.

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It might be a short-term rental who later becomes a long reliever, or a DFA candidate. But the Phillies could use another pitcher for the 2026 season.

Dombrowski is teasing as such, and while he, according to Nightengale, mentioned the trade market might heat up a bit this offseason, the Phillies could simply sign a free agent instead.

While the Phillies might not go after someone like Luis Severino, they could target some lesser rotation options that are more akin to depth signings or trades.

Someone like Kutter Crawford or Patrick Sandoval from the Boston Red Sox would make some sense, as they have plenty of depth in Boston after they signed Ranger Suarez.

The Phillies could use some extra rotation depth, and according to these comments from Dombrowski, the Phillies are planning to add to their rotation depth soon.

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