As the free-agent market winds down, attention shifts to the remaining players still looking for jobs and whether any could help the Phillies. Realistically, the club would only be considering minor-league contracts for this tier of talent.
Late January typically brings urgency for unsigned veterans. Players once holding out for extra years or a few more million often pivot to short-term opportunities just to secure a roster spot for the upcoming season. The current labor landscape has made it increasingly difficult for mid-level free agents those in the roughly 1.5–3 WAR range to land long-term deals. Instead, many settle for one-year pacts or minor-league contracts with spring training invites. The Phillies already dipped into this market by signing Dylan Moore to such a deal.
With that in mind, it’s worth scanning a handful of remaining names who might fill specific needs rather than overhaul the roster.
Miguel Andújar
Andújar fits the mold of a platoon specialist. If Philadelphia wanted a right-handed hitter to complement lefties like Brandon Marsh or Justin Crawford, he could serve as a bat designed to handle left-handed pitching. In that role, he could boost the offensive floor of the outfield by forming a matchup-based rotation.
The downside is defense. Andújar’s metrics in left field have been poor, and pairing him in the corners with a center fielder still developing defensively could create problems. His limited glove likely contributes to why he’s still unsigned, and reduced playing time in a platoon might not appeal to him if he still sees himself as an everyday option.
Tommy Pham
Age is the obvious concern with Pham, who will play the season at 38. Still, he could make sense in a limited platoon role if he proves he can still hit left-handed pitching. His 2025 numbers against southpaws were underwhelming, which raises questions about how much he has left. Historically, though, he has handled lefties well, and some underlying indicators suggest last season might have been an outlier. A minor-league deal could be a low-risk way to test that.
Veteran Starting Pitchers
Even with promising young arms like Andrew Painter in the picture, adding another starter wouldn’t be unreasonable. Bringing in an experienced arm could create competition for rotation spots and provide insurance.
Names such as Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, or Chris Bassitt are intriguing on paper. The challenge is fit. Established veterans at that stage of their careers are unlikely to accept minor-league contracts or uncertain roles. Pride, experience, and personal milestones make it doubtful they’d risk a non-guaranteed situation. Still, they represent the type of high-profile veteran the team could at least explore, even if the logistics make an agreement unlikely.
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