si
As the Philadelphia Phillies prepare for the 2027 season, they have multiple roster needs to address this offseason. Following a first-round exit in the 2026 National League Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves, the club is expected to make changes to bolster its lineup and depth.
CBS Sports analyst Dayn Perry recently compiled a list of the top 25 MLB trade candidates for the 2026-27 offseason, identifying players who could be moved before Opening Day 2027. Among them is Houston Astros infielder Jeremy Peña, who Perry suggests could be a strong fit for Philadelphia.
Peña, a talented shortstop, is set to become a free agent after the 2027 season, meaning he has only one year of team control remaining. That limited control could keep the asking price reasonable for interested teams. Perry estimates a 35% chance that Peña is traded this offseason, listing the Braves, Boston Red Sox, and Phillies as potential landing spots.
The 29-year-old had a solid 2026 campaign for Houston, appearing in 112 games and slashing .277/.325/.477 with 19 doubles, two triples, 56 RBIs, 82 runs scored, and an .802 OPS. He tied his career high with 22 home runs, originally set in his rookie year of 2022, and posted a 3.7 WAR—the lowest mark of his five-year career. Over the past two seasons combined, Peña has produced an .822 OPS and 130 OPS+ across 237 total games.
In 2025, Peña was named an All-Star and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting after batting .304/.363/.477 with 17 home runs, 30 doubles, two triples, 62 RBIs, 68 runs scored, 20 stolen bases, and an .840 OPS. His 5.7 WAR that season, over 125 games, stands as the best of his career.
Philadelphia's current shortstop, Trea Turner, is owed a hefty contract and will likely be given a chance to rebound from a poor 2026 season. However, there are no guarantees he will return to form. If Turner continues to struggle, having Peña as a depth option could prove ideal. Peña is also a Gold Glove-caliber defender at shortstop, having won the AL Gold Glove Award in his rookie year in 2022.
Injuries have been a concern for Peña over the past two seasons, as he has played in only 237 of 324 games. Despite that, Perry believes that if Peña were made available, he would be one of the most sought-after shortstops on the market. "If he is indeed shopped, then he's the most appealing shortstop on the trade and free agent markets this offseason," Perry said. Perry placed Peña in the "Walk-year players" category, which he defines as "A pending free agent who plays for a team not in full contention mode is likely to find his way to this category."
Acquiring Peña would give the Phillies added flexibility in the infield and a depth option at shortstop. If the deal is right, it could be a move worth pursuing for Philadelphia.
Originally reported by si.