Philadelphia

Phillies

Quite the morning for the Phillies, who have also reportedly agreed to a five-year deal with slugger Kyle Schwarber. Thomson has thrived since taking over for Joe Girardi during the 2022 season, posting a 346-251 (.580) record. The Phillies have won back-to-back NL East championships, but that regular season excellence hasn’t gotten them back to the World Series. With this new contract, Thomson will try to finish the job.

Schwarber received plenty of interest on the open market, but he ultimately will return to Philadelphia, where he was the NL MVP runner-up in 2025 after hitting .240/.365/.563 with 56 home runs and an NL-leading 132 RBIs. There was some thought that his being 33 years old and only a designated hitter would hurt his value on the market, but that was clearly not the case, as he’ll get $30 million a season until he’s 38 years old. This is great news for the Phillies, and fantasy managers know what to expect from Schwarber in a Phillies uniform. Passan indicates that his signing could also “accelerate” the free agent market.

Feinsand adds that executives believe Schwarber may be the first major free-agent domino to fall, with a reunion in Philadelphia viewed as a legitimate possibility. The Mets, Red Sox, Reds and Pirates are also among the clubs showing strong interest in the 32-year-old slugger, who led the National League with 56 homers and 132 RBI last season. His decision looms large: once Schwarber chooses his landing spot, several teams will finally be able to pivot and execute the secondary moves they’ve been waiting on.

Wheeler underwent surgery in late September to address venous thoracic outlet syndrome following an operation in mid-August to remove a blood clot near his right shoulder. The 35-year-old fantasy ace is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day based on the club’s initial recovery timeline of 6-8 months. There should be a clearer estimate for his season debut once he ramps up his throwing program in spring training.

At least that’s the belief around the league according to Olney and Passan. The Phillies, Reds and Giants have been among the teams already linked to the 32-year-old slugger. It’s possible that his market could come into focus in the next few days during the winter meetings. Regardless of where he lands, Schwarber will continue to be a force for fantasy purposes during the 2026 season.

Heyman adds that Bellinger remains New York’s top offseason priority, though the two sides aren’t close to a deal at this stage. He also lists the Mets, Phillies, Dodgers and Angels as other potential landing spots. The 30-year-old delivered an excellent first season in the Bronx, slashing .272/.334/.480 with 29 homers — his highest total since 2019 — to go along with 98 RBI and 13 steals across 152 games. His return would significantly improve the Yankees’ outfield defense and give them a proven left-handed, middle-of-the-order anchor to pair with Aaron Judge.

Mercado returns to augment Philadelphia’s organizational depth heading into next season after being non-tendered earlier this offseason. The 26-year-old righty holds an inflated 11.81 ERA and 14/13 K/BB ratio across 16 innings over eight appearances in the majors since 2024. He recorded a pedestrian 5.01 FIP and 23.6 percent strilkeout rate over 49 innings at the Triple-A level this past season.

Morosi indicated that all of the Yankees, Mets, Phillies, and Dodgers are “actively courting” Bellinger. The 30-year-old is coming off a strong 2025 season that saw him his .272 with 29 home runs, 98 RBI, 89 runs, and an .813 OPS. He also plays above-average defense at both center field and first base, which makes him even more attractive as a target.

The White Sox held on to him after his excellent 2023, hoping to cash in at the deadline in 2024, but were never able to due to injuries. They now picked up Robert’s $20 million team option and have another $20 million option for 2027. He still has elite raw ability, but has been inconsistent and injured over the last few years, which “would limit the return on any potential deal.” Still, Passan believes now is the time for a deal and lists the Mets, Phillies, and Reds as possible landing spots.

Dombrowski hasn’t offered any additional clarity on Wheeler’s recovery timeline from surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome since his end-of-season media session in late October, when he reiterated the club’s expectation: “The timeline remains six to eight months to be back pitching in a major-league game — so that takes you to the end of May.” The veteran fantasy ace, who turns 36 in late May, is expected to continue ramping up during spring training, but remains highly unlikely to be ready for Opening Day. The central question for fantasy managers is whether his front-of-the-rotation stuff returns to pre-surgery during spring throwing sessions and early-season rehab outings. He’s the definition of a high-risk, high-reward pick — volatile because of the procedure but impossible to ignore given his track record. A speculative selection as a top-40 range starting pitcher for fantasy purposes makes sense. With Wheeler projected to miss at least two months — and Ranger Suárez likely leaving in free agency — there’s also a very real pathway for top prospect Andrew Painter to break camp in Philadelphia’s rotation.