Back
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 10: Brandon Marsh #16 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates hitting an RBI single during the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on May 10, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesAfter another disappointing postseason exit, Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has indicated that the organization intends to explore changes while addressing several areas of need.
The Phillies have already made adjustments to their coaching staff, and their offseason plans could extend to some familiar faces on the major league roster.
That possibility has become particularly interesting as Philadelphia evaluates its outfield situation. Brandon Marsh, who earned his first career All-Star selection in 2026, has surfaced among the players the organization is willing to trade in recent reports, and now Dombrowski has sent a warning that might suggest he expects to continue working with Marsh, though it was far from complimentary.
“We have to straighten out the second half of the year,” Dombrowski said of the outfielder during the general manager meetings in Las Vegas this week, according to The Athletic’s Scott Lauber. “There’s really no rhyme or reason that he should play like that the second half of the year. He’s just too good a player to do it. We need to straighten that out.”
Dombrowski’s warning came as the Phillies reportedly consider significant changes to their outfield, which could include moving him.
“During meetings this week at the Aria Resort & Casino, the Phillies told rival clubs and player agents they aren’t locked into anything regarding their outfield situation,” Gelb added. “That means Brandon Marsh is available in a trade, according to league sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing talks.”
Other recent reports have noted that franchise shortstop Trea Turner has joined Marsh on the Phillies’ trade block.
“The Phillies, who are in desperate need for a third baseman and left fielder, badly want to shake things up, and that requires more than just firing a few of their coaches,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported. “Brandon Marsh and Trea Turner are available, but Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper are staying put.”
There is a clear statistical explanation for why the Phillies might be willing to entertain offers for Marsh despite his All-Star campaign.
Marsh hit .301/.339/.490 with 15 home runs before the All-Star break. After the break, his production dropped considerably, as he finished that portion of the season with a .184/.243/.259 slash line and just three home runs. That coincided with a downturn for the entire team, which saw it limp to the finish line of the regular season before being eliminated from the playoffs.
At 28 years old, Marsh still has time to reestablish himself as a productive everyday outfielder. However, the Phillies appear interested in exploring whether another player could better address their roster needs.
Dombrowski’s comments suggest that Philadelphia has not necessarily given up on Marsh, but their timing as the outfielder surfaces in trade reports can’t be ignored.