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3 Outfielders Phillies Must Pursue to Begin Free Agency

After getting inconsistent production from center and left field this past season, the Phillies should consider pursuing these players in free agency.

By Jovan Alford

Oct 9, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar (10) singles in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park.
Oct 9, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar (10) singles in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. / Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
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3. Juan Soto, RF

We couldn’t end this list without talking about Soto. The All-Star slugger has been on Phillies fans’ radar over the past two years and they believe he could be the missing piece to join a star-studded lineup.

Soto had an outstanding 2024 season with the New York Yankees, setting himself up to get a blockbuster deal in free agency. He might not get the deal Shohei Ohtani received last year from the Dodgers (a 10-year, $700 million contract), but it will come close.

Based on his production and Hall of Fame trajectory, Soto will almost certainly get a blank check from any team that wants him. This past season with the Yankees, the 26-year-old slugged .288 at the plate with 41 home runs (career-high) and 109 RBI.

Soto is the ideal fit for the Phillies' lineup as he can hit for contact and power, and has tremendous plate discipline. The four-time All-Star drew 129 walks (18.1 base-on-ball percentage) and saw his strikeout rate decrease from 18.2% in 2023 with the Padres to 16.7% this season with the Yankees.

Soto spent most of the season in right field with the Yankees, boasting a fantastic .993 league fielding percentage. In his last season with the Padres, the star slugger spent most of his time in left field.

If the Phillies were to sign him, they could put Soto in left field, or move Nick Castellanos to left and put Soto in right. Soto’s calculated market value is an astronomical 14-year, $513.6 million deal with an average annual salary of $36.7 million.

Philadelphia hasn’t been afraid to spend the big bucks in free agency as we’ve seen with Trea Turner and Bryce Harper. But unlike their pursuit of Turner, the competition will be fast and furious for Soto.’

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