Welcome to the year 2026! Not much has changed. The Philadelphia Phillies have a new right fielder and set-up man. Outside of figuring out if JT Realmuto is going to re-sign, the Phillies have finished up most of their offseason moves.
So where else can they improve? From within, of course. And, what's a better way to improve than setting goals for yourself? Perhaps set a New Year's resolution? Which Phillies on the current roster most need a resolution in 2026?
Aaron Nola is a good pitcher: plain and simple. He's been one of the most consistent pitchers of his generation...until he wasn't. Last season was one to forget for Nola. He faced multiple injuries and only pitched 94.1 innings. It's the first time he failed to throw 180+ IP in a full season since 2017.
Nola doesn't need lofty goals in 2026. He needs to be healthy and return to the mean. Before 2025, Nola averaged a 3.95 ERA and 194.2 IP since 2021. He doesn't need to be the ace of this staff. Heck, he doesn't even need to be the 3rd best starter. If he can return to average, he'll be a valuable piece for the Phillies.
The former Phillies Daycare of Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott are now all over the age of 28. They've graduated. Now, what they all have in common is the need to avoid a slow start to the 2026 season.
All three had slow starts to different extents in 2025. Alec Bohm had a sub-.600 OPS until May 9. Bryson Stott bottomed out at a .228 batting average on July 22. Brandon Marsh couldn't buy a hit in April. After recording 4 hits in March, his next hit didn't come until May 3.
The trio also all finished strong. Bohm hit .307 with an .808 OPS from May 10 onward. Stott also hit .307 after July 23. Marsh hit .303 with an .836 OPS after his hitless April.
If they can continue where they left off, the Phillies will be in a good spot offensively. For Bohm, he'll be playing for a contract as he'll be a free agent at the end of the season.
The Philadelphia Phillies will start the season with a youth injection on their roster. Both centerfielder Justin Crawford and starter Andrew Painter are expected to make the Major League roster out of Spring Training.
These two youngsters should have one simple resolution in mind: compete.
The Phillies are giving Crawford and Painter the best environment to succeed. Crawford will have Marsh and Adolis Garcia patrolling the corners, aiding his development in center. Painter will most likely be the Phillies' 5th starter, a low-pressure role.
Neither needs to be a star off the rip. They can ease in and still develop. They just need to stay competitive against Major League talent. If they do that, it'll go a long way toward supplementing the older stars on the roster.
