The Phillies are tightening their bullpen and expanding their roster in a bid to shore up late-inning stability ahead of the 2026 season.
Zach Pop Joins the Club
On Monday, the club added right-hander Zach Pop to its 40-man roster, pushing the roster count to 39 and signaling a continued focus on bullpen depth. Pop’s signing follows a series of moves aimed at reinforcing the club’s late-inning options.
Brad Keller: A Reliable Late-Inning Option
“We love Keller,” president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said at Friday’s media availability. “We really think he’s one of the best in the business. We really like the way the bullpen now shapes up.”
Keller posted a 2.07 ERA over 69 2/3 innings in 2025, facing 135 batters in the eighth inning and limiting opponents to a .135/.179/.189 slash line. His average fastball velocity increased by 3.4 mph from 93.7 in 2024 to 97.1 in 2025, a rise that coincides with his move from the rotation to the bullpen in a full-time capacity.
“All of our scouting work, our analytical work, our pitching people – between Caleb [Cotham] and the rest of the group – everybody thinks he’s a legit back-end type guy.”
“I wouldn’t say I expected a four-mile-per-hour jump,” Keller said during his introductory press conference Monday. “But I did feel like I worked really hard, cleaned up mechanical things and started focusing on using my lower half.”
Strategic Trade Moves
The club also trimmed its pitching staff by trading left-hander Matt Strahm to Kansas City for right-hander Jonathan Bowlan, and later acquired left-hander Kyle Backhus from Arizona. These moves deepen the bullpen’s match-up options and broaden the roster’s versatility under manager Rob Thomson.
Realmuto Situation
Despite the bullpen upgrades, the Phillies still lack a definitive everyday catcher. MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki reports the club has had an offer out to J.T. Realmuto for more than two weeks. ESPN’s Jeff Passan previously noted that Realmuto is not seeking a three-year deal, a contract that would be rare for an age-35 catcher. Only two catchers have signed such deals at that age: Carlos Ruiz in 2013 for three years and Yadier Molina in 2017 for three years.
Realmuto’s offensive production includes a .670 OPS and an average of 1.4 WAR over that span. Molina posted a .738 OPS and an average of 1.5 WAR. Since joining the Phillies in 2019, Realmuto has averaged 3.6 WAR per season. Whether the club meets his price or pursues an alternative, his value-both offensively and in managing a pitching staff-remains significant. Any contingency plan would more likely come via trade than from a thin free-agent catching class.
Payroll and Financial Context
The Associated Press tracks payroll figures for all 30 clubs each season. The Phillies’ luxury tax payroll currently sits at $314,329,912, a figure that would result in $56.1 million in tax penalties-fourth-highest total in baseball. Last season, the club’s payroll was reported at $264,314,134, an increase of more than $50 million year over year. Whether the club reallocates money via trade or adds Realmuto as the final 40-man spot remains to be seen.
Harper’s World Baseball Classic Commitment
Bryce Harper, 33, announced on Instagram that he intends to represent Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Harper wrote, “Put the colors on my chest for the first time when I was 15. No other feeling like it. I’m excited to announce I will be representing Team USA this year in the WBC.”
He joins fellow first-baseman Kyle Schwarber, who announced his commitment moments before re-signing with the Phillies. The tournament runs from March 5-17 during Spring Training. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa had a need at first base and found his answer.
Key Takeaways
- Zach Pop’s signing strengthens the Phillies’ bullpen depth.
- Brad Keller’s 2025 performance and velocity jump highlight the club’s focus on reliable late-inning arms.
- The club’s trade moves and roster adjustments aim to diversify match-up options and address the catcher position.
- Payroll pressures and a potential Realmuto contract add financial complexity ahead of the 2026 season.
- Bryce Harper’s commitment to the 2026 WBC underscores the Phillies’ international ambitions.
With a bolstered bullpen, strategic roster moves, and a looming payroll challenge, the Phillies are positioning themselves for a competitive 2026 season while balancing the need for a reliable everyday catcher and international representation.
