“No One’s Even Mentioning Phillies”: New York’s Juan Soto Chase Gets Complex After Phillies’ Major Payroll Edge

Every major team wants Juan Soto, and the Phillies can be in this mix. One MLB insider even said that the Phillies could give Soto a long-term contract. This comes after the team has plans to let go of two players in 2025 and 2026, respectively. When the contract of those players ends, it will clear up a lot of payroll space. Given that Soto is still young (26) he's a long-term asset that could help solidify the Phillies' lineup for many years. David Dombrowski, the Phillies president of baseball operations is known for his ability to land big-name players.

If Dombrowski and the Phillies front office are targeting Soto, it would make sense that they'd be able to use their financial flexibility and reputation as a destination for top talent to make it happen. It's true that the Phillies haven't been the first team people think of when discussing a potential Soto destination, but Bowden's bringing attention to some key factors that could make them a serious contender to sign the star outfielder.

In a podcast interview, Jim Bowden said "There are teams that people dont talk about. I mean the Phillies with Soto. I mean no one's even mentioning Phillies. This is Dave Dabrowski's calling card. He builds a team around stars and he's got s charger and Realmuto coming off the books after 25', Castellanos is coming off the books after 26'. There's money there for Philadelphia." That's a significant amount of payroll flexibility coming up for the Phillies, especially if Kyle Schwarber and J. T. Realmuto both exit after 2025.

With $40 million coming off the books by then, plus the potential additional $20 million from Castellanos' contract expiring in 2026, they could have upwards of $60 million in freed-up payroll space over the next few seasons. That would make a deal for a superstar like Juan Soto much more feasible, even if it requires a record-breaking contract.

It's just a matter of time before teams realize how well-positioned Philadelphia is. While the Phillies can only hope for roster changes with Juan Soto, they are already making some big front-office changes.

The Phillies' major changes possibly include the pursuit of Juan Soto The Philadelphia Phillies are undergoing major front-office changes, with Sam Fuld transitioning to President of Business Operations in 2026. He will assume the position after completing his MBA at the Wharton School. Fuld has been with the team since 2017 and served as GM since 2020, and his shift to business operations reflects a long-term strategy to blend baseball acumen with financial expertise.

This change comes as the Phillies look to maximize their brand and revenue with top players like Bryce Harper and Juan Soto potentially in the mix. In the meantime, Preston Mattingly has been promoted to General Manager and Vice President, overseeing baseball operations. With a strong background in player development, Mattingly will continue shaping the roster while ensuring the Phillies remain competitive. His promotion signals the team's ongoing focus on developing homegrown talent while adding key players.