9-Year MLB Vet Abruptly Quits Phillies Organization

The Philadelphia Phillies are being tabbed as a destination for Gleyber Torres, and that's worrisome.

The Phillies are in need of some infield help this winter.

Luis Arraez and Alec Bohm are both on the free-agent market.

While Bryce Harper will be moving back to first base, the Phillies will still need to find at least one replacement.

In theory, Philadelphia could install top prospect Aidan Miller at the hot corner.

The Phillies did start Justin Crawford in center field during his rookie campaign, after all.

But it seems more likely they'll try and find a veteran solution.

Bringing back Arraez should be the top priority considering how much his presence improved Philadelphia's lineup after coming over at the MLB trade deadline.

But he could prove to be a bit too expensive.

So where else could the Phillies turn?

Well, one option that continues being connected to Philadelphia is Gleyber Torres.

Torres spent 2026 with the Detroit Tigers.

He slashed .260/.364/.363 with eight home runs and 38 RBI over 420 plate appearances.

Torres was limited to 96 games due to oblique issues.

When he was available, he did a fine job of getting on base — he posted a 13.6 percent walk rate.

That was about all he did, though.

Torres posted a .103 ISO, the lowest mark of his big-league career.

His barrel rate of 6.1 percent was his second-lowest.

His 32.3 percent hard-hit rate was his worst result by a rather large margin.

The 29-year-old showed extreme offensive potential during his early years with the New York Yankees.

He smashed 38 homers back in 2019.

But he hasn't even approached that number since, topping out at 25 in 2023.

That was the last time he hit 20 long balls.

Torres has also historically been a poor defender.

He doesn't offer a whole lot in terms of speed on the basepaths.

So really, what would be the point of adding Torres?

The increased walk rate is nice.

But his power shortage is a big concern, particularly considering he doesn't offer a whole lot in the way of consistent contact.

At least Arraez is a lifetime .316 hitter with three batting titles to his name.

Someone like Brandon Lowe — who bashed 35 home runs in 2026 — would be a fantastic addition given his penchant for the long ball.

It should also be noted that both Arraez and Lowe had career-best defensive showings this past season.

Torres would be cheaper than both.

But would he actually improve the Phillies in any way?

The thought here is that he would just be same old, same old.

The Phillies are a veteran team built to win now.

While that has worked — the Phillies and Dodgers are the only two teams to reach the postseason in each of the last five years — they have fallen short of the ultimate prize.

This could be a pivotal offseason as the Phillies look to keep their window of contention open.

The team has other pressing questions.

Trea Turner posted a disappointing .242/.297/.378 batting line in 2026 with 19 homers and 29 doubles.

His 81 OPS+ was his worst mark since his 44 plate appearances in 2015.

Turner has cost the Phillies 39 runs defensively over the past four years, including 17 runs in 2026.

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reported that the Phillies had spoken to Turner about his defensive struggles, stating that he must improve at short or be moved elsewhere.

Moving Turner to the outfield could solve the Phillies' issues there, especially if Aidan Miller shows he is ready.

Miller's ascension to the majors could take place regardless of what happens with Turner.

Alec Bohm was allowed to test free agency and is not expected to return to Philadelphia.

Miller has exclusively played at third base during his time in the Arizona Fall League.

That potentially opens an avenue for the Phillies to include him on the Opening Day roster.