The Philadelphia Phillies have spent the offseason in a bit of a quandary over their third base situation, particularly with Alec Bohm in the spotlight. The buzz around town was that if the Phillies could snag either Bo Bichette or Alex Bregman, Bohm might be on the move.
According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, "If the Phillies were to move Bohm, it would likely be because they see a chance to acquire a player like Bregman or possibly consider Bichette for a position other than shortstop. They'd need a clear upgrade to justify making that trade."
The Phillies nearly landed Bichette, who reportedly met with the team before signing with the New York Mets. The meeting was said to be positive, with Bichette appreciating the Phillies' organization and other factors like their roster and facilities.
Jon Heyman, another MLB insider, mentioned, "The Bichette/Phillies meeting went very well. Bichette has a high regard for the organization. There are other suitors too, like the Jays, Red Sox, Yankees, and Dodgers."
On the other hand, WIP’s Jack Fritz suggests it might be time for the Phillies to part ways with Bohm. Entering the final year of his contract, the team might look to upgrade the position next offseason.
Fritz commented, "The Phillies should trade Bohm during Spring Training and use Edmundo or Kemp at third until Aidan Miller is ready. This season is about transitions, and it would be a waste to keep Miller in AAA if he's ready. You're not likely to pay Bohm after this year, so why not make the move now?"
The Phillies face a pivotal decision with Bohm. After an offseason of exploring potential replacements, the situation might be tense. However, Bohm could still be seen as a valuable everyday third baseman by other teams.
If Philadelphia decides to keep Bohm for the season and lets him walk afterward, they risk losing him without any return. Trading him now, though, could bring valuable assets from another team, making this a strategic moment for the Phillies' front office.