The 2025 MLB Winter Meetings are officially underway, and this year Orlando plays host to the biggest event of baseball’s offseason. The week promises no shortage of rumors, signings, and trades as front-office executives, team representatives, agents, and industry insiders converge in Central Florida to negotiate deals and reshape rosters for the season ahead.
The MLB offseason has been relatively quiet to this point, but that is expected to change quickly now that the Winter Meetings are underway.
One of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind is whether Kyle Schwarber will re-sign with the Phillies or take his talents elsewhere. The left-handed slugger is expected to be one of the most coveted free agents on the market after hitting .240 with 56 home runs and 132 RBIs last season. His 56 homers ranked second in all of baseball.
At the moment, all signs point to Schwarber remaining a Phillie. He has spent the last four seasons in Philadelphia, is both a fan favorite and a clubhouse leader, and President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski has repeatedly emphasized that the organization’s priority is to keep Schwarber in red pinstripes moving forward.
Other teams, however, will certainly explore the possibility of adding him. The Cincinnati Reds, Schwarber’s hometown team, are expected to inquire about bringing him back to Ohio. The deep-pocketed Mets are also likely to be involved, and a report on Sunday suggested that even the Pittsburgh Pirates, not typically known for aggressive free-agent spending, made a substantial offer exceeding $100 million.
It is difficult to envision Schwarber leaving Philadelphia, where he has truly come into his own as one of the game’s premier power hitters. Still, money talks, and the Phillies will need to determine just how strong an offer they are willing to present. There’s always the possibility that Schwarber takes a slightly reduced offer to stay in Philadelphia.
In addition to Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto is expected to draw significant interest from teams hoping to lure him away from Philadelphia. Although he will turn 35 in March, Realmuto still boasts a strong résumé and remains a reliable contributor, hitting .257 with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs last season. His days as an annual All-Star may be behind him, but in a thin catching market he stands out as perhaps the most appealing option available.
With few other top-tier catchers on the board this offseason, Realmuto could attract substantial offers from multiple clubs eager to upgrade the position.
Lastly, the Phillies face a difficult decision regarding Ranger Suárez, who emerged as one of their most dependable starters this season. He finished the year 12–8 with a 3.20 ERA while logging a career-high 157 1/3 innings. He also ranked tied for 11th in the majors with a 4.0 WAR.
Given that level of production, Suárez could command a sizable contract as a No. 2 or No. 3 starter in another team’s rotation.
While Philadelphia would like to keep Suárez, a reunion appears increasingly unlikely.
As MLB.com Senior Reporter Mark Feinsand noted, “Philadelphia hasn’t closed the door on a reunion, especially given the uncertainty around Zack Wheeler’s health. But with No. 1 prospect Andrew Painter knocking on the door and other priorities — namely the return of Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto to deal with this winter, the likely scenario is Suárez signing elsewhere.”
With a rotation that already features Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, and top prospect Andrew Painter on the horizon, the Phillies may be reluctant to invest heavily in Suárez at a time when Schwarber and Realmuto will also command significant financial attention.
Another storyline to monitor during the Winter Meetings is whether anything materializes with Nick Castellanos. Fans may recall that Dombrowski suggested last month that a “change of scenery” might be beneficial for the veteran outfielder. For now, Castellanos remains a Phillie, but he is not expected to be on the roster once Spring Training begins. Tensions between Castellanos and manager Rob Thomson surfaced several times last season, culminating in a June benching in Miami.
The Phillies have no shortage of decisions to make this offseason, and there is a real possibility that next year’s roster looks noticeably different from the one fans saw in 2025. As always, the Winter Meetings promise an eventful week and Philadelphia will be at the center of it.
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