The Philadelphia Phillies received a major development on Tuesday that could shape the trajectory of their entire offseason. Two of the most important players on their roster slugger Kyle Schwarber and standout left-handed pitcher Ranger Suárez officially declined the one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offers extended to them by the organization. By turning down those offers, both players signaled their desire to test free agency and evaluate their long-term market value, rather than accept another short-term commitment with Philadelphia.
While this decision was widely expected around baseball, it nonetheless marks an important checkpoint in the Phillies’ offseason strategy. With these qualifying-offer matters officially resolved, the front office can now fully shift its attention toward negotiating potential multi-year deals with Schwarber and Suárez or, if necessary, preparing contingency plans to replace them should they ultimately sign elsewhere.
Dombrowski’s Priorities
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made clear back in October that retaining certain veteran pieces was one of his top goals. According to MLB.com’s Paul Casella, Dombrowski stated that the organization hoped to re-sign Schwarber, Suárez, catcher J.T. Realmuto, and outfielder Harrison Bader. However, among this group, Schwarber and Realmuto are widely believed to be the franchise’s highest priorities. Both have been integral figures in the clubhouse and central components of the lineup, and their departures would create significant voids.
Schwarber’s situation is particularly intriguing. Since arriving in Philadelphia, he has been one of the most productive power hitters in the National League, known for his tape-measure home runs, on-base skills, and postseason heroics. Not only has he become a fan favorite, but his left-handed power has served as a stabilizing force in the lineup. Meanwhile, Ranger Suárez has emerged as one of the most reliable arms on the pitching staff. Whether working as a starter or in high-leverage postseason roles, Suárez has proven his value time and time again.
Realmuto, long considered one of the best catchers in the sport, also maintains tremendous value both behind the plate and as a leader within the pitching staff. And while Harrison Bader may not be viewed as a centerpiece, his elite defensive ability in center field gives the Phillies a dimension they don’t otherwise have on the roster.
Still, even with these marquee free agents on the market, the Phillies have additional layers of evaluation to work through as they look toward the 2026 season.
Infield and Outfield Uncertainty
With several key players hitting free agency and Schwarber’s and Suárez’s futures now up in the air, Philadelphia must also take a close look at internal roster questions particularly within the infield and outfield.
In the outfield, the most notable storyline concerns Nick Castellanos. The 2025 season was a turbulent one for the veteran right fielder, who found himself frustrated after losing playing time late in the year. His dissatisfaction became public, and the Phillies appear ready to move on from him as he enters the final year of his contract. Castellanos’ departure seems increasingly likely, and clearing his salary could give the front office flexibility to address other pressing needs.
Meanwhile, questions also loom in the infield. Third baseman Alec Bohm is coming off a season in which he took a noticeable step backward at the plate after earning his first career All-Star appearance in 2024. While his upside has long made him an important piece of the lineup, inconsistency remains an issue, and Philadelphia may be weighing whether his long-term fit is as solid as it once appeared.
Second baseman Bryson Stott known for his glove, athleticism, and steady presence also saw his overall WAR decline in 2025. Though he remains one of the more dependable defenders on the roster, the Phillies must determine whether his offensive production is plateauing or if a rebound is in order.
All of these factors create a complex puzzle for the front office, one that requires balancing long-term stability with the desire to remain a top contender in the National League.
A Quiet But Intriguing Addition: Liover Peguero
While the Phillies were dealing with qualifying offers and evaluating the futures of several regular contributors, they also made a much quieter move on Tuesday that could pay dividends down the line. The team signed infielder Liover Peguero to a minor league contract the kind of move that rarely makes headlines but occasionally proves significant.
Peguero, just 24 years old, spent the previous four seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Once considered a top-100 prospect in all of baseball, he brings athleticism, versatility, and experience at multiple infield positions. Because he has already logged major league at-bats over portions of five seasons, he is not merely a developmental flyer he’s a player who could realistically help the big-league club at some point.
Aram Leighton of Just Baseball, who broke the news of the signing, noted that Peguero produced a career OPS of .646 across 96 games while seeing time at shortstop, second base, and even first base. His best major league performance came in 2023, when he appeared in 59 games for the Pirates and posted a .237/.280/.374 slash line.
At first glance, those numbers may not jump off the page. However, the Phillies view Peguero as a high-upside depth piece. His defensive versatility gives him a pathway to multiple positions, and his age suggests that there is still plenty of room for growth. The Phillies have been proactive in identifying overlooked or undervalued infielders in recent years, and Peguero fits the mold of a player who could blossom in a new environment.
How Peguero Could Factor In
Peguero’s addition also gives the Phillies more options should they choose to explore trades or lineup adjustments. For example, if the team found an attractive opportunity to move Alec Bohm this offseason, Edmundo Sosa one of the most reliable defenders on the roster could slide into the everyday third base role. In that scenario, Peguero could take on a utility role off the bench, offering coverage across multiple infield positions and giving manager Rob Thomson more lineup flexibility.
Even if Bohm and Stott remain with the club, Peguero’s presence provides an insurance policy the team sorely needed. Injuries are inevitable over a 162-game season, and clubs that thrive often do so because they have dependable depth options to fill gaps when necessary. With Peguero now in the organization, the Phillies have a player who brings experience and potential upside without requiring a significant financial commitment.
Bigger Questions Still Loom
While the Philadelphia front office has taken its first steps toward shaping next year’s roster and while the Peguero signing may be an intriguing under-the-radar move the biggest moments of the Phillies’ offseason still lie ahead.
The franchise faces major decisions on Schwarber, Suárez, Realmuto, and Bader. They must determine whether Castellanos’ time in Philadelphia has indeed reached its conclusion. They have to evaluate the long-term futures of Bohm and Stott. And they must identify the right combination of upgrades and internal promotions that can help them finally clear the hurdle that has repeatedly halted their postseason ambitions.
The Phillies remain one of the most talented teams in the National League, but their recent playoff exits have fueled widespread discussion about how the roster should evolve. Whether the team chooses to stay the course with familiar faces or chart a new direction with strategic additions, the choices made in the coming weeks will likely define the next chapter of their competitive window.
Still, even amid the uncertainty and high-stakes negotiations, one thing is clear: Tuesday’s quiet signing of a young infielder from their in-state rival could provide them with a sneaky, high-upside depth option one who might play a meaningful role in Philadelphia’s lineup in 2026 or beyond.
