Since the dawn of the 21st century, the Philadelphia Phillies have made several free-agent signings that ultimately panned out great. It is a trend they hope to continue in the future. So far this offseason, the Phillies have made three free-agent signings, with Joe Ross being the most recent addition. The Phillies have also signed Jordan Romano and signed Max Kepler this offseason. Compared to other points this century, the Phillies have made more free-agent signings in recent years. Most of the core players on the Phillies 2008 World Series championship team came up through the team’s farm system. But without further ado, here is a list of the five best free-agent signings by the Phillies since 2000.
The Best Free Agent Signings by the Phillies Since 2000
5. Jim Thome
During his first stint with the Phillies, Jim Thome had a brief but excellent run. In 361 games, he had a .260/.386/.543 line with 96 home runs and 266 RBI. After joining the Phillies as a free agent after the 2002 season Thome had a 139 OPS+ in his first stint. He was traded after the 2005 season to open up first base for Ryan Howard. In 2012, Thome would return to the Phillies. In both 2003 and 2004, Thome had 40 home run/100 RBI seasons, being named to the All-Star team in 2004. The 2003 season saw Thome set a single-season career best in RBI with 131.
4. Cliff Lee
During his second stint with the Phillies, Cliff Lee was a part of the “four aces” the team had in 2011. Before that , though, he was traded to the Phillies at the trade deadline in 2009. The Phillies then traded Lee to the Seattle Mariners that offseason. He then signed with the Phillies as a free agent following the 2010 season. In his second stint in Philly, he had a 41-30 record with a 2.89 ERA and 739 strikeouts in 106 outings. Lee made two All-Star appearances and had a 133 ERA+ in that span. Lee recorded 200 strikeout seasons in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
3. Kyle Schwarber
One of the Phillies’ team leaders, Kyle Schwarber has been the best signing made under Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. Schwarber has a ..221/.344/.488 line with 131 home runs and 302 RBI in 465 games, with a 129 OPS+ in that span. Schwarber has multiple 40 home run/100 RBI seasons in a Phillies uniform. Before joining the Phillies, Schwarber had not accomplished either feat. He has two consecutive 100-walk seasons as well, and three seasons with at least 100 runs scored, all with the Phillies.
2. Zack Wheeler
Currently the Phillies’ ace, Zack Wheeler is the best free-agent pitcher signing the team has made this century. In 133 outings with the Phillies, Wheeler has a 59-32 record and a 2.94 ERA with 899 strikeouts and a 142 ERA+ across five seasons. In 2021 and 2024, he finished second in National League Cy Young Award voting. He also won a Gold Glove Award in 2023. Wheeler has three seasons with at least 200 strikeouts in a Phillies uniform, and has a 24.7 fWAR since joining the Phillies, which is the best among qualified pitchers in that span.
1. Bryce Harper
The Phillies signing Bryce Harper is their best free agency move since 2000. In six seasons with the team, the superstar slugger has a .285/.391/.533 line with 152 home runs and 455 RBI in 726 games. Harper won the 2021 NL MVP Award in his third season with the Phillies. That season, he had a major league-leading 1.044 OPS and a 179 OPS+. Harper has been named an All-Star twice with the Phillies, and has won a Silver Slugger Award in three of his six seasons with them. Harper has also seamlessly switched positions from the outfield to first base in that time.
