🚨 JUST IN: From a surprisingly shallow free-agent pool, here’s how the Phillies’ best right-handed outfield options stack up ⚡.DD
As the offseason unfolds, the Philadelphia Phillies find themselves navigating a free-agent landscape that is unusually shallow when it comes to right-handed-hitting outfielders. With limited impact bats available, every potential addition must be examined carefully — both for immediate fit and long-term value. Below is an expanded look at the most realistic right-handed outfield candidates the Phillies could pursue, ranked from strongest to weakest option.
1. Harrison Bader — The Clear-Cut Top Choice
Among the available players, Harrison Bader stands out by a wide margin. His extremely productive stretch with the Phillies in 2025 (.305/.361/.463 with a 3.2 fWAR) not only rejuvenated his career but also demonstrated how seamlessly he fits into the club’s culture and style of play.
Bader brings a valuable combination of speed, defensive excellence, and competitive energy, along with enough offensive consistency to avoid being a one-dimensional role player. In such a thin market, getting someone who has already proven he can thrive in Philadelphia is a rare luxury.
If the Phillies want a dependable everyday outfielder who strengthens their defense and offers upside at the plate, Bader is easily the most logical target.
2. Adolis GarcĂa — A High-Variance, High-Reward Swing
Adolis GarcĂa’s star has dimmed slightly since his peak postseason heroics, but the potential for a major bounce-back remains very real. Even in a down year, his raw power and aggressive style make him one of the few free agents capable of changing a lineup’s complexion overnight.
Although his overall 2025 numbers weren’t outstanding, Philadelphia’s environment — hitter-friendly park, strong clubhouse structure, and competitive atmosphere — could be exactly what GarcĂa needs to rediscover his best form.
Signing him would involve risk, but if GarcĂa taps back into his vintage production, the reward could be enormous.
3. Rob Refsnyder — A Platoon-Friendly Depth Solution
If the Phillies are looking for practicality rather than star power, Rob Refsnyder provides a clean, sensible fit. His track record of hitting left-handed pitching makes him a valuable platoon piece, especially in late-game matchups or spot starts.
That said, Refsnyder’s defensive limitations and lack of everyday upside restrict him to a supporting role, not a lineup centerpiece. He works best as a complementary bat who plugs specific gaps.
He’s not the most exciting name, but he is one of the safest — and in this free-agent class, that has value.
4. Miguel Andújar — A Versatile, Under-the-Radar Pickup
Miguel AndĂşjar is one of the most intriguing sleepers on the list. Splitting time between the outfield and infield gives him flexibility that many contenders covet, and his strong production against left-handed pitchers adds another layer of usefulness.
At 31, he’s no longer viewed as a rising star, but his blend of offensive competence and positional versatility makes him an appealing mid-tier option. If the Phillies want a utility-friendly right-handed bat who could outperform his contract, Andújar deserves consideration.
5. Austin Hays — Solid but Underwhelming
Austin Hays once carried the reputation of a breakout candidate, yet his actual results have fallen short of expectations. His 2025 line (.266 average, .768 OPS, 15 homers) is respectable, but hardly the kind of production that moves the needle for a contending club.
His inconsistency — combined with a concerning kidney infection last season — raises questions about durability and dependability.
Hays is a decent fallback option, but not someone Philadelphia should build their offseason around.
6. Starling Marte — Experienced but Aging
Starling Marte still brings flashes of his former impact: a .270 average, .745 OPS, and a handful of homers and stolen bases in 98 games with the Mets in 2025. He remains instinctive in the outfield and offers veteran presence.
However, at 37 years old, the decline is increasingly evident. His body can no longer handle the rigors of everyday play, and his price may not align with the limited value he now provides.
If the Phillies want a short-term stopgap rather than a long-term piece, Marte could fit — but expectations must be modest.
7. Tommy Pham — Depth Only, Nothing More
Rounding out the list is Tommy Pham, whose best seasons are now well behind him. His 2025 production (.245 average, .700 OPS, 10 home runs) reflects a player who can contribute in spurts but is no longer an everyday threat.
Defensive regression is a major concern, and at 38, Pham profiles strictly as a bench bat or emergency fill-in. He brings experience but not enough performance to justify a significant role.
Final Thoughts
The Phillies face a thin free-agent landscape, but that doesn’t mean meaningful upgrades are impossible.
- Bader is the clear priority, combining familiarity, consistency, and defensive strength.
- GarcĂa offers the most upside, though with notable risk.
- Refsnyder and AndĂşjar are practical, affordable depth pieces.
- The remaining options — Hays, Marte, Pham — should only come into play if the Phillies miss on their top choices.
In a market with limited right-handed outfield talent, Philadelphia’s best path forward is choosing the player who provides the strongest blend of reliability and situational impact — and Bader checks those boxes better than anyone.
