“Oh my goodness! He throws it away!” are seven words that will sit in every Phillies fan’s stomach forever after a disappointing ending to the 2025 season in Los Angeles to the eventual back-to-back champion Dodgers.
In a 1-1 extra inning game four against the Dodgers, Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering made a questionable decision to throw home on a ground ball which seemed to be an easy put-out at first to keep the game going. Kerkering and Philadelphia were distraught, and as Eastern junior Isaac Kane said, “I was speechless for hours after the game, but I think we all would have panicked in that scenario. He’s a young, promising pitcher and I hope he bounces back.”
With the NFL season officially over, the 2026 season rapidly approaches, with pitchers and catchers to report to camp on February 11, with the rest of the respective squads to report around February 15. The Phillies and Kerkering both confirmed that he was the first to show up to Clearwater, Florida, and is hopefully going to be a cornerstone of a hungry Philadelphia baseball team.
Kerkering is expected to be a pivotal piece to the bullpen this year, especially now that the Phillies have a true closer behind him. In August 2025, the Phillies added closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins. He had 16 saves with the Phillies in the back half of the season, and fans are excited to see his electric entrance and energy at Citizens Bank Park for a full season.
Seeing how the Phillies went all in at the trade deadline in August last year, many fans were hopeful that they were going to do the same this offseason, especially with the team having a “win-now” mentality. However, the only major signing this offseason was extending designated hitter/left-fielder Kyle Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million contract in December. Schwarber had 58 home runs between the regular and post-seasons, and has been one of the most consistent power hitters in the MLB since joining the Phillies in 2022.
“Bringing back Kyle Schwarber was a need for the Phillies. He provides significant power for this lineup that really needs it,” said Eastern senior John Westfield. Westfield also mentioned the signing of Adolis Garcia, who formerly played for the Texas Rangers. Garcia posted a .217 batting average with 19 home runs last season, but was pivotal in the Rangers World Series in 2023. “[Garcia] does not make this team better or worse in right field compared to Nick Castellanos, and if he can return to his 2023 self, he will be crucial to this teams’ success,” Westfield added.
Immediately following the loss to the Dodgers, President of Baseball Operations, Dave Dombrowski, confirmed that the Phillies would look to move on from Castellanos. The Garcia move all but confirmed it. Another rumor that started was a potential move for free agent third-baseman Alex Bregman or interior infielder Bo Bichette. These would have seen the Phillies improve in the middle of the batting order, but also move on from Alec Bohm or Bryson Stott.
“I was really disappointed to not land Bo Bichette, it was almost like he snaked us,” Eastern junior Sean Holotanko said. Bichette reportedly turned down a seven-year, $200 million offer from the Phillies to join their NL East rival the New York Mets on a three-year, $126 million deal. “I really hope he gets booed in his first return to Philly,” Holotanko added.
The Phillies also lost starting pitcher Ranger Suarez to the free agency market, along with outfielder Harrison Bader. These two losses hurt many Phillies fans, but it lays down a carpet for homegrown talent to fill in the shoes of two fan favorites.
This spring, Phillies management and fans will keep a keen eye on pitcher Andrew Painter and outfielder Justin Crawford, who are two of the Phillies’ highest rated prospects. Painter and Crawford both had decent years in Lehigh Valley, and fans are excited. “Crawford’s speed and energy could change games, and Painter has ace potential if he’s healthy,” Rotelli said.
Westfield and Kane shared similar thoughts, agreeing that if Painter can stay healthy, and Crawford can bring energy to the locker room, they will be successful in Philly for years to come.
Another issue that looms over a quickly approaching Opening Day is Zack Wheeler’s status. Wheeler underwent successful surgery on a blood clot in September of 2025, but according to manager Rob Thomson will “not be ready on Opening Day,” but is “hopeful he will be back shortly after.”
With this injury looming, fans are turning to Christopher Sanchez, who filled the ace’s shoes last year. Sanchez finished with a 13-5 record, 2.50 ERA, and second in National League Cy Young voting. Numerous Eastern students shared that he should have no issues being this team’s ace again, and expect him to be top-five in Cy Young voting again.
With that being said, the fans at Eastern still have “high hopes” for their favorite ball club. Kane predicts that they will have a top-five bullpen and make it to the NLDS. Westfield predicts the club makes a “win-now” move and trades for a big player out of nowhere in July. Holotanko and Rotelli believe that Garcia will be pivotal to the line up, and provide 30 or more home runs this year. Only time will tell for the Fightins, but a sea of red will be all along Broad Street all season long.
