Sep 16, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; (Editors Notes:.Caption Correction) Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh (16) runs the bases after three run home run during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Jayne Kamin-Oncea
During the most recent episode of Phillies Stoplight🚦, Anthony SanFilippo and I broke down the three most likely trade candidates on the MLB roster this winter. The conclusion we both arrived at is that in terms of realistic trade candidates, Brandon Marsh might be the one with the most value this offseason.
To be clear, this isn't a conversation that included Bryce Harper, Cristopher Sánchez, Trea Turner or any other core piece that's not going anywhere this winter.
The three names we focused on were Nick Castellanos, Alec Bohm and Marsh.
Castellanos seems to be the one most certain not to be back with the Phillies in 2026. Dave Dombrowski was non-committal on the two-time All-Star's future during his year-end press conference, as was Castellanos following the Phillies being eliminated from the postseason. Matt Gelb of The Athletic has since reported that the Phillies "are expected to either trade or release" Castellanos this offseason.
The thing with Castellanos is that if the idea of releasing him is already out there, teams aren't going to be in a rush to trade for him. The Phillies may end up finding a taker, but they'll likely have to eat a significant chunk of the $20 million he's owed next year and take back a very minimal return. After all, FanGraphs said that he had the lowest WAR (minus-0.6) among all qualified players in 2025.
There may not be the same urgency to move on from Bohm as there is with Castellanos, but Bohm is projected by MLB Trade Rumors to make $10.3 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility in 2026. He's too good to non-tender, but in an offseason where you have multiple key players set to become free agents, that's a lot of money to spend on someone who had a 102 OPS+ this past year (100 is a league average player).
Clearly, the Phillies listened to trade offers for Bohm last winter, and they'll probably be more motivated to find a taker for the 29-year-old this offseason. Fans should be realistic, though, about what the Phillies could acquire in return for Bohm. He's only got one year left until free agency, and he's going to be making around $10 million. There will be suitors, but you're probably looking more at acquiring a contributor than your cleanup hitter for Bohm.
That brings us back to Marsh. In his penultimate year of arbitration eligibility, Marsh is projected to make $4.5 million.
By this point, you know the limitations of Marsh. He is probably limited to only starting against right-handed pitchers. He's much more of a corner outfielder than a center fielder. And he's coming off of a pretty brutal NLDS where he was exposed after Harrison Bader's hamstring injury, which forced him to play center field and face left-handed pitching.
With that said, there's still plenty of value in a strong-side platoon option that is a strong defender in the corners and mashes right-handed pitching. For all his struggles against lefties, Marsh hit .300 with an .838 OPS against righties this past year. He's also a selfless player that's liked by pretty much anyone who interacts with him.
So even while acknowledging his limitations, if the Phillies are willing to move Marsh this offseason, there will be takers for him with two years remaining until free agency. Perhaps that's an argument for holding onto Marsh — who will turn 28 in December — but it may also mean that this is the best time to capitalize on his value.
The Phillies need a right-handed bat for the middle of their lineup. Would it really be that crazy for the Los Angeles Angels — who right now have a pretty right-handed hitting outfield — to reunite with Marsh in return for Taylor Ward, who checks a lot of boxes for the Phillies but will play his contract year at age 32?
What's also possible is that the Phillies trade for an outfielder like Ward, and then flip Marsh in a deal for another area of need on the roster. As Anthony pointed out in the most recent podcast, the Phillies traded a catching prospect in Logan O'Hoppe to acquire Marsh back in August of 2022. Perhaps if they aren't willing to meet J.T. Realmuto's asking price in free agency, they can trade Marsh to get a replacement behind the dish .
Certainly, the Phillies don't have to trade Marsh this winter. $4.5 million for the production that he put up this past year would be a steal. But as they look to shake things up following another early postseason exit, Marsh may be a piece that allows them to do that.
