Philadelphia’s season came to an abrupt end when they were trounced by the Dodgers in four games during the NLDS, and now they’re facing down a crucial offseason where a number of key players are headed for free agency. With Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suarez, and J.T. Realmuto all already headed to the open market, it seems likely that big changes are coming to the Phillies one way or another. The club’s pending free agents aren’t the only places where the possibility of change can be seen, however.
Last winter, the Phillies floated the possibility of more substantial change and made regulars like Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos available. Neither ultimately ended up getting traded last year, but perhaps that could change this winter. Given that Castellanos endured a career-worst season and lost playing time down the stretch this year, the question surrounding his trade candidacy seems less to be about whether the Phillies would like to move on from him and more about what team might be interested in adding him and how much of his salary Philadelphia would need to pay down to facilitate a move.
Bohm, on the other hand, is a more intriguing trade candidate. The Phillies apparently set an extremely high asking price in trade talks regarding the infielder last winter, as they reportedly sought either Logan Gilbert or George Kirby from the Mariners and Mason Miller from the Athletics in exchange for his services. That asking price, naturally, was not met, and the teams that passed on Bohm are surely glad they so based on his performance in 2025. After a 2024 campaign where Bohm posted a 113 wRC+ with solid defense at third base en route to his first career All-Star appearance, he took a clear step backwards this year as he slashed just .287/.331/.409 (105 wRC+) with 11 homers, a 5.8% walk rate, a 16.3% strikeout rate, and less robust defensive metrics.
In other words, he regressed in virtually every aspect of his game. After his middling 2025 campaign and the club’s inability to find a trade partner for Bohm last winter coming off a career year, it goes without saying that the Phillies would need to massively lower their expectations for a return in order to work out a deal involving Bohm. That might be reason enough for the Phillies to pass on the idea of trading him this winter, if they believe a bounce back is coming next season. If the club is risking the loss of Schwarber from the lineup already, any possibility of downgrading offensively at the hot corner would surely be looked at with skepticism.
On the other hand, Bohm is entering his final year before free agency, so it stands to reason that the Phillies might have an easier time accepting a less-than-elite return for the 29-year-old infielder at this point. Perhaps more importantly, Bohm’s departure could clear the way for the Phillies to upgrade the third base position, either immediately or in the long-term. Alex Bregman figures to be one of the winter’s top free agents and would be a big upgrade over Bohm if acquired, and Bo Bichette is another intriguing option even if he’d have to be convinced to move off shortstop. Going after one of those players could be an especially sensible decision if Schwarber ends up signing elsewhere this winter.
Even if the Phillies aren’t interested in adding a big-ticket free agent, it must be remembered that internal help is on the way. Aidan Miller is a consensus top-30 prospect in the sport and got promoted to Triple-A shortly before the end of the regular season. He looked quite comfortable in eight games at the level, going 9-for-27 (.333) with two doubles, a home run, and more walks (9) than strikeouts (7) in 34 trips to the plate. It should be expected that he’ll be ready for the big leagues at some point next year, and the possibility of Bohm blocking him at third base doesn’t seem especially appealing. Utility man Edmundo Sosa remains in the organization as a potential bridge to Miller if he isn’t ready for the majors out of Spring Training, as well.
Of course, much of whether or not it would make sense for the Phillies to deal Bohm will come down to what they can get in return for his services. Fortunately, an offseason with this much uncertainty baked in also comes with plenty of flexibility in terms of what the Phillies can look for in a return package. Suarez’s potential departure will leave a hole in the rotation the club would do well to fill, but there’s also room for improvement in the outfield, where Harrison Bader and Max Kepler are both scheduled to hit free agency, and in a bullpen that figures to lose David Robertson and might also lose Jose Alvarado if the Phillies don’t exercise his club option. Perhaps Bohm can be packaged with prospect capital in order to bring back a starter, or he could be swapped with a similarly-controllable outfield bat if there’s a team with surplus in the outfield in need of infield help.
How do MLBTR readers think the Phillies will handle Bohm headed into this winter? Will he be placed on the trade block in order to clear the way for someone else at third base, be it Miller or a free agent addition? Or will they hold onto him and hope for better results in 2026? Have your say in the poll below:
Isn’t the more important question:
Who wants Alec Bohm and is willing to trade for him?
I just don’t see a ton of likely takers.
If they don’t find any they will non tender him
His 25 season was fine by many standards although I worry more about his glove than his bat.
Zero chance of him being non-tendered. He’ll either be their 3rd baseman next year or he’ll be traded to fill another hole on the roster. Dombrowski isn’t going to let him go for no return.
Dodgers did not “trounce” Phillies, they edged or outlasted them. Phillies out-scored Dodgers overall in the 2025 NLDS and Dodgers won the decisive game by one run in extras with their two other wins by only one and two runs, respectively.
Yeah, what’s Dick Needs talking about?
amen… NICK didnt watch
Rockies.
Angels.
Marlins.
Send him to purgatory.
He will be non-tendered.
Alec Bohm or Dick Needs?
Bohm is serviceable and has every incentive to perform well in his walk year. Just use Bohm as a bridge to Miller. Worst choice would be to pony up for another veteran to play third.
Why move him unless they are going after Bregman. Like you said, hang onto him until Miller is ready.
He isn’t gonna bring back anything of significance.
Only way I see them go after Bregman is of they lose Schwarber.
I agree. I’d say there’s a 90% chance Schwarber returns and it won’t be cheap. I also see Realmuto re-signing for a year or two. I know Dombrowski has spent big in the past, but I see Schwarber & Realmuto being expensive enough that Bregman probably doesn’t fit moneywise. This is most likely the final contract for Bregman to get long term.I would think he’ll probably seek a 4-5 year deal with Boston, Mets, Yankees or Ducking Fodgers. I believe Muncy isn’t back with the Dodgers.
Muncy has a $10MM option that the Dodgers will surely pick up.
Non-tender him? Nope…silly move. He is now on a one year deal for $10M and there is no such thing as a bad one year deal.
He is not a solution to getting better, but he is here and a bridge to Miller we hope. Paying big long term $$ at 3B in addition to elsewhere does not make sense. Bregman wants too much for too long for a non-elite (but still very good) 3B. Suarez on a two year deal makes some sense but we also have enough low BA / low OBP hitters already.
He has some trade value but not a ton offhand, so you simply explore it. Folks forget that there are many worse options that are starting out there as well. He is basically a middle of the pack 3B in the league today and perhaps someone sees some upside in a change of scenery.
Agree keep Bohm as cheap bridge to Miller so they have cash to retain Schwarbs.
Two possible contenders would be Seattle )again) and Boston;
The M’s, in a best-case scenario, would be able to re-sign one of Naylor or Suarez. But now with their TV deal gone & asking MLB to handle their regional telecasts, the team will be cutting even if they bring home a WS – a la Marlins. I could see them passing on both and acquiring either Mountcastle or Bohm (for a reliever, not one of their prized starters)… if they trade for a 1st baseman then the hot corner will be Williamson’s again,
The Red Sox should show Bregman the cold (injured) shoulder if he uses his out clause. They could flip Harrison for Bohm, or better yet get in on the Suarez bidding.
The question is, what are you doing to do with the savings to make the team better. If they bring back Schwarber and JT, you’re not exactly giving yourself a massive amount of space to add an impact 3B. I’d just give him the $10 million and do something different at DH. Hope I’m wrong though, because I don’t think that’s what they will do.
Castellanos and Bohm for Arenado and Gorman? Who hangs up first?
that is a lot of paperwork for a few lateral-moving parts
The Phillies. Gorman does little for them. He’s a lefty-hitting barely .300OBP guy. And, at this point, Castellanos is probably the better offensive player than Arenado, and he’s owed less money over a shorter term. Phillies are probably worse if they make that trade.
“And, at this point, Castellanos is probably the better offensive player than Arenado”
OPS+ had them at about even last year and Arenado plays much, much better defense than Castellanos and does so at a more premium position. Castellanos was one of the worst every day players in the league last year. Arenado doesn’t have much value but he has a lot more than Castellanos. Arenado was worth 1.5 more WAR via fangraphs and 2.3 more via B-Ref despite playing only 107 games.
If you factor in their salaries, Arenado’s value comes down closer to Castellanos but still. I think most teams in baseball would take Arenado.
Arenado also was playing hurt before going on the IL. No guarantee he gets better but at least he has an excuse. Castellanos simply isnt any good.
Castellanos, Bohm and Gage Wood for Arenado and Nootbaar.
Assuming I voted yes for the same reason why everyone else is voting yes– we like trades, that’s why we are on this website.
All that aside, I think Sosa is just as good a player. If they can somehow get something useful for Bohm and not take a hit on the field or at the plate, do it.
Looking at FG, and assuming Bohm is the 3-win player from 2024 and not the 2-win player from 2025, how many teams would he be an upgrade? Maybe ten? And of those ten, which are looking to pay for an upgrade? I think the White Sox would be better with him but they’d rather be developing Miguel Vargas or whoever. The resulting list is short. I don’t know who’d want him.
@brocness
How did you determine he was a 2 win player this season?
bWAR had him at only 1.3 which isn’t that great at all.
Over the long term, Sosa is not equal to Bohm. Extended playing time has exposed him. He’s good in spurts and at times but not as a full-time starter.
At Bohm’s size there should be more power in his body/abilities. They should sit down with him this offseason and encourage a different approach. I believe he’s been hesitant in the past because he fears it would result in more strikeouts—which I hate—but it could be beneficial to both his career, the team, and his future earnings. Might be now or never for him. I’d hate see them trade him somewhere that convinces him to change things up and he turns into a middle-of-the-order power bat.
Besides, they’re not bringing back anything substantial for him.
Bohm really should hit for more power than he does, but I have no reason to think he will do that next year. Sosa hit as many home runs as Bohm this year even with much less playing time than Bohm. Once they bring up Aidan Miller, he’s also going to get on base more often than Bohm because he actually walks. Credit to Bohm for walking 6 times in the playoff series, but that still brings him to only 35 walks for the whole year while not hitting for power.
Cardinals
Why would the Cardinals want Bohm? They’ve literally stated they are undergoing a long-term rebuild; Bohm is a FA long before they ever expect to contend.
He’s only on a 1 year deal. I dont think he has much value as of now but if he had a good first half he could have some at the trade deadline. And the Cardinals dont have anyone to play 3b in the meantime.
That’s kind of the point, him only being on a one year before free agency. Why would the Cardinals, a team not looking to contend, want to trade for someone making roughly $10 M to play for them? Makes no sense. They’re probably going to lose 100+ games next year; I doubt they care who plays third base as long as they don’t have to pay him a lot.
That was my thought. He’s an Ohmaha Native, so close to home and they are looking to deal Arenado. Bohm is a cheap option (even to resign).
People forget that the Rockies are still paying for Arenado.
THere could be more to that trade than most think.
Sure, Arenado is on the decline, but he’s still better defensively than Bohm. I’d say on both sides of the ball, actually.
The Phillies are like the Yankees: great during the regular season and can’t hit the broad side of a barn in the postseason. Give the fans one WS appearance since 2009 and get them sucked in. Maybe Joe Girardi or that 2009 WS cursed both of these teams.
Sounds spooky!
For real. That Yankees team was stacked with HOF’ers while the Phillies had gamers. Went to a Game 6 when the Phillies had only Cliff Lee and a Broken Pedro.
Since then, nothing for either. I was really hoping for a rematch this year too.
Was that around the time I started seeing everyone wearing “Vote for Broken Pedro” shirts?
I had no idea it was a Phillies thing.
Most contenders don’t need a 3B and and rebuilding clubs won’t trade for a rental. Him declining in every category isn’t going to help either. Maybe a salary dump/bad contract swap with an overpaid reliever.
Red Sox do
Sox have Marcelo Mayer. If they don’t bring Bregman back it’s either go after Eugenio Suarez or roll with Mayer because Bohm doesn’t really move the needle for the Sox and would just be a one year rental
The Royals had interest last year and my guess is they would again, allowing them to move Garcia to 2B and play Bohm at 3b. Especially since they have SP and catching depth to move–and Bohm wouldn’t be nearly as expensive as last year, could line up nicely.
(And yes, I know Garcia is a potential-GG 3B.)
What Catching depth? They have Salvy, who is basically a 50/50 Catcher/DH and Carter Jensen, who is likely going to be the primary option on most days and you aren’t getting Jensen for Bohm. Maybe M.J. Melendez, but not Jensen
How is getting rid of Bohm “downgrading offensively at the hot corner?” 🤣
He’s an above average hitter
LOL
Brohm for Abreu? Feasible? We need a 3B
Not that badly
They already tried this and nobody was interested.
Right? They were asking for Gilbert or Kirby for him?! LMAO. Not only would I have hung up if I were the M’s…I also would’ve told the Phils that I’m never dealing with them again over such a ludicrously bad offer.
In his first 6 seasons Bohm has been essentially a 1.0 bWAR player except for his outlier 2024 season.
There is an old saying in baseball that there’s no such thing as a bad one year contract. The Phillies would be paying 11mil for Bohm, hoping for another 3 bWAR season. In the end, it’s the mediocre defense that’s the issue with Bohm.
Bohm is probably a little overpriced for what he is, but this is also a Phillies team that should want minimal commitments for core performers as they assess if it’s possible to transition from the current core to a new one without imploding. Bohm won’t carry the team (which makes it easy for fans to whine about him), but he’s indisputably a core performer.
Why would they trade him? 1. They could look for another position on an expiring contract. 2. Prospects. 2 doesn’t make sense for the Phillies, and the matches for 1 are few and far between.
I’m sure the club will be open to opportunities, but the path of least resistance has him starting at 3B then transitioning into a 1B/DH platoon with Harper and another LHH if/when it’s Miller time. That, of course, assumes they fall short on Schwarber.
Long story short, the Phillies have a difficult offseason ahead of them, and I can’t imagine trading Bohm ranks high on the to do list.
Bohm racked up a ton of doubles last year and this year he didn’t even get 20. He needs to get back to smacking doubles for him to regain his value…
If I’m the Phillies I’ll keep him
Where’s the option of “they’ll try, but fail again?”
How can the Phillies trade a ballplayer who’s not under contract? Bohm doesn’t have 6 full seasons of service time, thus he’s not a free agent. He is controllable for another year via arbitration.
The only way the Phillies can let Bohm leave this winter is if they non-tender him, which they could do given his form in 2025.
He is under contract and yes they can and probably will, trade him.
They can trade him
Happens all the time
They have his rights
Bohm was on a 1-year contract that’s expired. He doesn’t have 6 full years service time, hence Phillies can only tender or non-tender. And he’s still arb-eligible if they tender him.
They can trade him before the tender deadline.
Happens all the time
If the got Bo… I think you’re moving Trea to 3rd.
Bohm’s not going anywhere. He brings to the table more than the older Bregman and Arenado at one-third the cost.
Castellanos shouldn’t be going anywhere either – except to left field. You don’t find many right-handed hitting outfielders that hit in the clutch, make the defensive plays they have to, have a cannon for an arm, stay healthy the entire season, and want to play every day.
Bohm and Castellanos carried the Phils for the first-half of the 2025 season. The Phils need to add a few more foot soldiers like these guys, instead of adding more generals.
Castellanos is one of the worst everyday outfielders in the game. Dueling with his manager also hurt. If he’s back I’m very disappointed.
Castellanos has a near perfect FA every season but he doesn’t get to as many balls as some of the faster outfielders. Hence, his poor defensive rating. He may have the best outfield arm in baseball. Whose fault was the feud with the manager?
What are you smoking? I want some.
“After a 2024 campaign where Bohm posted a 113 wRC+ with solid defense at third base en route to his first career All-Star appearance, he took a clear step backwards this year as he slashed just .287/.331/.409 (105 wRC+) with 11 homers, a 5.8% walk rate, a 16.3% strikeout rate, and less robust defensive metrics.
In other words, he regressed in virtually every aspect of his game”
Will someone at this website take a basic writing class. Why on earth do you continually compare two seasons or players using a different set of statistics?
Last winter supposedly they asked for mason miller in bohm trade
At times, Bohm has been the Phillies best hitter with runners on base, especially with two outs. But he doesn’t run and is an average fielder at best. I feel the Phillies need to change a lot, and Bohm is part of what’s changeable.
Logan Gilbert, George Kirby or Mason Miller last off-season? I’m not good with trade proposals, but im guessing Bohm was only a small piece in a prospective deal and some high end prospects would have been included?
Would’ve had to be, because if not, those are the most laughable proposals I’ve ever seen.
I feel like “Bohm” question is silly. Trading him neither frees up resources nor nets any real return.
Currently the Phils have 0 outfielders under contract that can play everyday. They have a hole at catcher, and their most productive hitter limits their roster flexibility by not being able to play the field regularly…and that’s only if they overpay to bring him back.
Harper and Turner can’t seem to stay healthy for a full season. And if you compare Harper’s time in Phila with Jayson Werth’s, they are basically the same player over a 4 year stretch. And consider Werth was the 4th or 5th best hitter on his teams (behind Rollins, Utley, Howard and Victorino).
They have a 2nd baseman with a legendary walk up song that seems to be settled in as a bottom of the line up hitter. Last year he was nursing an injury, but what’s the explanation for this season being about the same (a little worse according to WAR).
And so, here we are talking about whether or not to trade Bohm?
If I was betting I’d always say no to a trade proposal since most trades never happen even if they make sense. I think he will only be moved if they can sign Bregman.
Should they? Will they? No. They will non tender him. He has no value in trade. As usual the headline is different than the question.
Bohm is a guy you trade to a team like the White Sox that get him in the hope that he has a good enough first half of the season to trade him at the deadline
I think they’ll gauge whether he has trade value, and non-tender him if he doesn’t. I don’t see why you would sacrifice defense to play Bohm over Sosa, when Bohm just gave you only 32 extra base hits and 29 walks in 120 games.
I wonder if the Red Sox would give up Romy Gonzalez for Bohm. If Sosa slides over to play every day at third, Gonzalez would be the ideal platoon partner for Stott. The Sox already have another righthanded hitting 2B in Campbell.