Phillies Eyeing Veteran Outfielder Grichuk as Platoon Option

The 12-year MLB veteran could provide depth and power to the Phillies' outfield.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Philadelphia Phillies, who lost outfielders Harrison Bader and Nick Castellanos in the offseason, are reportedly interested in signing veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk as a platoon option. Grichuk, a 34-year-old right-handed hitter, struggled in 2025 but has shown power potential in the past, including a .291/.348/.528 slash line with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs in 2024.

Why it matters

The Phillies are looking to bolster their outfield depth after some key offseason departures, and Grichuk could provide a cost-effective power bat to complement their existing outfielders like Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford.

The details

Despite falling short in the playoffs last season, the Phillies had a relatively quiet offseason, retaining their core but losing players like Ranger Suárez, Harrison Bader, and Nick Castellanos. They did bring in two-time All-Star Adolis García, but could still use a platoon outfielder. Bleacher Report's Zachary Rymer listed the Phillies as the 'best fit' for the right-handed-hitting Grichuk, who could provide power and complement the left-handed-hitting Marsh and Crawford.

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The players

Randal Grichuk

A 34-year-old veteran outfielder who has played in the MLB for 12 seasons, most recently with the Kansas City Royals.

Brandon Marsh

A Phillies outfielder who could form a platoon with Grichuk.

Justin Crawford

Another Phillies outfielder who could benefit from Grichuk's right-handed power bat in a platoon.

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What they’re saying

“Between Nick Castellanos' release and Bryce Harper's discontent, there have been more pressing stories concerning the Phillies lately. But weren't they supposed to be looking for a platoon outfielder? That was the case in January, and Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic specifically linked them to the right-handed-hitting Grichuk.”

— Zachary Rymer, Bleacher Report Writer (Bleacher Report)

“He had a rough one in 2025, with his OPS falling 201 points from where it had been in 2024. Yet his exit velocity and hard-hit rate actually went up, and he still had his longstanding knack for pulling the ball in the air. Those strengths would play nicely at Citizens Bank Park, where Grichuk would supplant Johan Rojas as the primary platoon partner for Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford.”

— Zachary Rymer, Bleacher Report Writer (Bleacher Report)

What’s next

The Phillies will likely continue to evaluate their options for a platoon outfielder as the season approaches, with Grichuk emerging as a potential target.

The takeaway

The Phillies are looking to add depth and power to their outfield after some key offseason departures, and the veteran Grichuk could be a cost-effective solution to complement their existing young outfielders.