BELIEVE: Why Philadelphia Phillies Fans Should EXPECT Big Things from Andrew Painter's 2026 Season

The Philadelphia Phillies ignite offseason buzz by adding top pitching prospect Andrew Painter to their 40-man roster. Will Painter’s elite strikeout numbers translate to ace-level MLB success after Tommy John recovery? Connor Thomas explores how Painter’s raw talent and velocity keep expectations sky-high for his 2026 debut despite Triple-A struggles. Key topics include the Phillies' search for a Kyle Schwarber replacement, with names like Cody Bellinger and Byron Buxton shaking up possible lineup combinations. Trade scenarios, free agency priorities, and Dave Dombrowski’s Winter Meetings to-do list all take center stage, as Connor Thomas assesses roster flexibility and the impact of potential blockbuster moves. Can Philadelphia maintain its power-packed offense, or will bold changes redefine the team’s identity this season? 0:00 – Andrew Painter 2026 Outlook Overview of Andrew Painter being added to the Phillies' 40-man roster, analysis of his potential and expectations for his MLB debut season despite a rough Triple-A year. 12:30 – Kyle Schwarber Alternatives Discussion around Kyle Schwarber's free agency, including insights from Scott Lauber and exploration of potential replacements (Cody Bellinger, Byron Buxton), plus off-the-pole question for listeners. 21:58 – Phillies Winter Meetings Checklist Breakdown of Dave Dombrowski’s top priorities for the upcoming Winter Meetings: establishing the Schwarber market, trade value for current players, and potential trade targets like Byron Buxton. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. The NBA and NFL seasons are here, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER : 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.