Phillies Tender Contracts to Seven Players, Agree to Terms With Two Catchers

The Philadelphia Phillies have made a flurry of roster decisions ahead of the crucial arbitration deadline on Friday. The team officially agreed to contract terms for the 2026 season with their two backup catchers, Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs. In addition, the Phillies tendered contracts to seven of their arbitration-eligible players, ensuring these key contributors remain under team control. Those players include Alec Bohm, Edmundo Sosa, Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh, Jhoan Duran, Tanner Banks, and Jesús Luzardo. Interestingly, the Phillies chose not to tender contracts to Michael Mercado and Daniel Robert. Both Mercado and Robert aren’t arbitration-eligible yet, which sets them apart from the seven players who received offers. The Phillies appear confident that all arbitration-eligible players will reach agreements before the January 9th deadline, avoiding any contentious hearings. If a player rejects the team’s offer, the matter would move to arbitration, but tendering contracts to all seven arbitration-eligible players was widely anticipated. The only real question mark was Alec Bohm, whose arbitration salary is projected to hover around $10 million in his final eligible year, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Despite this, Bohm could still be on the trade block this offseason as the Phillies look to manage payroll and roster flexibility. The Phillies also announced a new addition to their roster earlier on Friday, claiming Pedro Leon off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Leon showed solid offensive production in Triple-A Sugar Land during 2024, slashing .299/.372/.514, but he missed a significant chunk of the 2025 season due to knee issues. Still, he brings potential depth and versatility to the Phillies' lineup and could prove valuable if he can stay healthy. The deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players is always a pivotal moment, shaping offseason strategies and player valuations. Philadelphia’s moves underline a commitment to retaining core pieces while making calculated decisions on players who may not fit long-term plans. Given the borderline status of Bohm and the non-tendering of Mercado and Robert, the Phillies seem focused on balancing talent retention with financial pragmatism. These roster moves come amid a backdrop of high expectations for the Phillies, who are aiming to contend strongly in the coming seasons. By locking in key arbitration-eligible players and adding depth through waiver claims, the team is positioning itself to remain competitive. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the arbitration deadline passes and offseason trades begin to take shape, especially regarding Bohm's future and how the Phillies handle their roster construction moving forward.