📢 TOP STORY: Sorting through a weak free-agent class, we rank the Phillies’ most viable right-handed outfield targets for 2026 ⚡.DD
It’s slim pickings out there on the free agent market.
Despite Philadelphia Phillies general manager Preston Mattingly going on record saying he wants to “build a monster,” for the future, the front office is still looking to bring home a World Series trophy now, even if the lineup doesn’t look as familiar as it has in years past.
It seems the Phillies are serious about obtaining a right-handed bat, specifically one for the middle of the lineup. That is something that president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has mentioned not just in the offseason, but around the trade deadline as well.
If it’s a righty outfielder they want, then let’s cut to the chase. The pickings are a lot slimmer than one might expect, especially if you’re looking for a right-handed outfield bat who posted a positive fWAR in 2025. Breaking down the free agent pool with these specificities in mind, let’s dive into the rankings of who the Phillies could go after.
Ranking the Phillies’ best right-handed outfield options from a weak free agent pool
No. 7: Tommy Pham, 0.2 fWAR in 2025
The Phillies have tried the “clubhouse full of veterans” concept for a few years now, and we all know how well that’s turned out. Signing Pham would be like signing a more productive version of Nick Castellanos. He hit .245 with a .700 OPS with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs for the Pittsburgh Pirates this year.
Sure, his .319 weighted on-base average is right in line with the league average, and his 18.7 percent chase rate is enticing. But with his advanced age (38 on Opening Day) and a steady decline in defensive production, Pham is a rental piece the Phillies don’t need.
No. 6: Starling Marte, 0.7 fWAR
Starling Marte is an interesting case because, in some respects, he could be ranked higher. He hit .270 with a .745 OPS, nine home runs and 34 RBIs in 98 games for the New York Mets in 2025.
He could address the Phillies’ need for a strong defender with some speed. However, at 37, he would also require a shorter-term deal with a high annual salary. It wouldn’t be worth it for the Phillies, especially if Justin Crawford makes the Opening Day roster.
No. 5: Austin Hays, 1.2 fWAR
So, the Austin Hays experiment of 2024, while brief, should be enough for anyone to probably pass on a return to Philadelphia. Everyone expected his swing to do well at Citizens Bank Park. However, for several reasons, including a serious kidney infection (subscription required), he didn’t play to his full potential.
Battling more injuries with the Cincinnati Reds this season, the 30-year-old Hays hit .266 with a .768 OPS, 15 home runs and 64 RBIs in 103 games.
No. 4: Miguel Andujar, 1.1 fWAR
The ideal candidate should be able to play around the outfield, but Miguel Andujar brings an interesting twist. He split most of his time between left field and third base this season for the Reds and Athletics.
Andujar excels against lefties, posting a .389 batting average and a .986 OPS this season. He can also hold his own against righties, overall batting .318 with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs in 94 games. He’ll be 31 next season but could be an impactful player and a good fit with the Phillies.
No. 3: Rob Refsnyder, 1.0 fWAR
With how well he sees lefty pitchers, it’s hard to rank Rob Refsnyder this low. He’s most likely going to re-sign with the team he’s called home for the past three seasons, the Boston Red Sox after flirting with retirement since 2024.
Refsnyder hit .269 with an .838 OPS in 70 games this year, but hit .302 against lefties. With his age (35 on Opening Day) and the ability to only really play corner outfield, he wouldn’t serve the team to the full extent the front office would hope while shopping around for a new addition.
No. 2: Adolis GarcĂa, 0.7 fWAR
Former ALCS MVP and playoff hero Adolis GarcĂa, who primarily played right field, was recently non-tendered by the Texas Rangers. After experiencing a significant decline in offensive production in 2025, GarcĂa stands to benefit from a change of scenery. A new ballpark could allow him to produce more power (Statcast suggests that the 19 home runs GarcĂa hit would’ve improved to 22 at Citizens Bank Park).
Although his fWAR from last season is low, his potential and proven success in the postseason could provide the Phillies with the balance they need in the middle of their lineup if he still has any of the 2023 Adolis left in him.
No. 1: Harrison Bader, 3.2 fWAR
In a perfect world, 31-year-old Harrison Bader would’ve agreed to his mutual option. After a second-half performance like he had with the Phillies, it wasn’t a shock when he chose to decline and test the refreshing waters of free agency after a career season. Bader, schematically, was a perfect fit, and honestly, one of the best under-the-radar moves of the 2025 trade deadline.
He hit .305/.361/.463 in his time with the Phillies. He saw career highs in both home runs (17) and RBIs (54). After finding a faster swing speed with an increased barrel rate, 2025 was his best season in terms of pure power, all while still ranking in the top percentile in outs above average. One would like to think that the atmosphere and layout of Citizens Bank Park played a role in that.
