Phillies owner: 'Expect the player payroll to be higher' in 2025

The Philadelphia Phillies' front office is prepared to keep spending in its pursuit of the team's first World Series title since 2008.

"Given where we are in contract cycles and minor-league people coming up, I expect the player payroll to be higher (than this year) rather than lower," owner John Middleton said, according to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer.

He added, "I'd be surprised if it's the same, and I'd be stunned, very stunned, if it's lower. I don't see it being lower."

The Phillies' $247-million payroll was the fourth-highest in MLB in 2024, according to Spotrac. The club already has nearly $223 million committed to players for 2025, the most in baseball.

Philadelphia has operated in the luxury tax for three consecutive seasons, raising its tax rate to 50%. Nonetheless, Middleton doesn't consider even the upper threshold - $301 million in 2025 - as a limit.

"For the right player, I have a high degree of confidence that (we) would go over the third limit," he said.

The Phillies' list of impending free agents includes Spencer Turnbull and two key relievers: Carlos Estévez and Jeff Hoffman.

While general manager Dave Dombrowski echoed Middleton's sentiments about running an "aggressive payroll," he doesn't see a reunion with both Estévez and Hoffman as the best allocation of resources.

"I would gather they're both going to get offered long-term, big-dollar contracts, which they're going to be looking for," he said. "I don't see us spending that type of money on two relievers."

The Phillies may instead be eyeing a bigger splash - such as Juan Soto or Blake Snell - to finally get over the postseason hump.

Philadelphia flamed out in the NLDS against the New York Mets after winning the NL East with a 95-67 record.