{"id":111031,"date":"2025-12-19T21:58:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T02:58:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=111031"},"modified":"2025-12-19T21:58:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T02:58:22","slug":"phillies-shopping-december-additions-updates-outlook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/12\/19\/phillies-shopping-december-additions-updates-outlook\/","title":{"rendered":"Phillies Shopping in December: Additions, Updates and Outlook"},"content":{"rendered":"

Picture the Philadelphia Phillies retaining Kyle Schwarber<\/a> as a re-load of ammunition while the team waits for backup forces to help finish the job. After re-inserting the National League home-run king into the lineup, the Phillies front office doubled down on their commitment to win a World Series with the current core. A dominant yet streaky crew that lives with strikeouts, shoves on the mound, and oozes explosive innings. Somehow, they continue to leave food on the table. What now?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oct 8, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) celebrates after hitting a two run home run during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game three of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Phillies December Shopping Receipt: Updates, Additions, and Outlook<\/h2>\n

Santa Claus isn\u2019t the only one having a hectic month of December, as new faces litter the familiar Phillies roster in hopes of finishing the quest for a World Series. The eye test would infer that age isn\u2019t a huge problem, considering in 2025, Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner<\/a> each had their best year in Philadelphia. Zack Wheeler<\/a> was beat up but still dominated. As did Cy Young runner-up Cristopher S\u00e1nchez<\/a> and newcomer Jesus Luzardo<\/a>. They\u2019re shedding vets like Nick Castellanos<\/a>, who is likely on his way out; While card collecting, bullpen mainstay Matt Strahm<\/a> was shipped to Kansas City<\/a>. Future Hall-of-Fame talent Bryce Harper<\/a>, who is as healthy as he\u2019ll ever be, hopes to return back or close to his elite form. The team understands that Father Time waits for no one, making it crucial that Dave Dombrowski squeezes the prime years from his core.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pitchers<\/h3>\n

Kyle Backhus (LHP) & Jonathan Bowlan (RHP)<\/b><\/p>\n

It was a busy Friday for the Phillies, who landed bullpen depth after moving on from multi-year workhorse Matt Strahm<\/a>. The Phillies and Strahm had rising tensions stemming from comments made by Strahm after the postseason. Backhus and Bowlan are two arms that profile well in matchup-specific roles. Kyle Backhus<\/a> comes from the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he carved out a role dominating left-handed hitters. His sidewinding motion, ability to get late movement on pitches, and success taking away opponents’ power are ideal. He gives Philadelphia a low-cost, flexible option who pitches in high-leverage spots against lefty-heavy lineups. <\/span><\/p>\n

Jonathan Bowlan<\/a>, meanwhile, is the complete opposite. He\u2019s effective against right-handed hitters, using sharp breaking balls and a delayed kick to the mound. Backhus and Bowlan offer the Phillies a new pairing of options to help in sticky situations when bridging to closer Jhoan Duran<\/a>. Ultimately, the additions allow manager Rob Thomson<\/a> to be more aggressive with matchups late in games while not overtaxing his main arms.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brad Keller, RHP<\/b><\/p>\n

Philadelphia agreed to a two-year, $22 million deal<\/a> with RHP Brad Keller<\/a>. Fresh off a breakout season where he posted a 2.07 ERA, Keller was one of the more effective relievers in baseball. The best part is his experience as a starter, supplying long-man talent for a Phillies team that needs innings early on. This gives Philadelphia a reliable right-handed bridge for late innings ahead of Duran. Keller’s arm is rising; that is clear. This may be the first Phillies\u2019 multi-year bullpen commitment since Strahm, who they traded to the Royals Friday morning for Jonathan Bowlan<\/a>. If Keller can replicate Strahm’s 2.0+ WAR over the last two seasons, it\u2019ll be a win.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Non-Pitchers<\/h3>\n

Adolis Garc\u00eda, OF<\/b><\/p>\n

The Phillies added Adolis Garc\u00eda<\/a> on a one-year deal<\/a>, costing them $10 million. Off the bat, he bolsters the defense alongside projected rookie center fielder Justin Crawford<\/a>. Corner defense isn\u2019t massively important, but alongside a raw talent in centerfield, it\u2019s notable. In close to 50 less at-bats, Adolis Garc\u00eda had more home runs, RBI, and extra-base hits than Nick Castellanos, who held his spot prior. <\/span><\/p>\n

The two-time All-Star is a clear upgrade and supplies energy in the clubhouse. Offensively, he\u2019s coming off two down seasons with the Texas Rangers but still offers power potential, especially in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies are banking on a rebound closer to his peak at the plate alongside bats like Schwarber and Harper. Fastballs are the kryptonite for Garc\u00eda, however the two current mashers in Philly don\u2019t see them at all, which makes this a smart move in hopes to get better pitches for all three. Garc\u00eda was relied upon as a main power source in the Texas lineup. A new scene, plus extra advice from hitting coach Kyle Long, should do wonders. The playoff-riser could change the game for Philadelphia if he rebounds. Worst case scenario is another failed 1-year deal on a veteran plug and play outfielder\u2013or Nick Castellanos.<\/span><\/p>\n

Updates & Outlook<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Justin Crawford, CF\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Justin Crawford<\/a> has been unlocked. The energetic, exciting talent is poised to be the everyday center fielder in 2026. It’s been a long wait for Crawford, who surely earned the promotion for a Phillies team that desperately needed to add speed, contact at the plate, and youth on the roster. Crawford is only 21 years old, yet he dominated at every level of the minors while being younger than most of his competition. Since 2022, Justin Crawford has batted under .300 only two times (.288, .297) \u2013 Sporting impressive .334\/.411\/.452 splits with 47 stolen bases.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Justin Crawford, son of Carl Crawford, has a good chance of making the Phillies roster to open 2026.<\/p>\n

Crawford has three straight seasons with at least a .300 AVG and 40 steals in the minors. pic.twitter.com\/TS0R6Ph7ow<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) December 16, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n