The Guardians have an obvious hole to fill at first base this winter, and the market may offer a familiar name with some appeal: Alec Bohm.
Cleveland enters the offseason looking for more pop in the lineup, and the situation is unsettled enough that a veteran option makes sense. Nathaniel Lowe and Rhys Hoskins are both free agents, while top prospect Ralphy Velazquez may not be ready to handle Opening Day duties. That leaves the Guardians shopping for a bat who can cover first base and move around when needed.
Bohm, a longtime Phillies infielder, is one player to keep on the radar as he heads into free agency after six full seasons in Philadelphia. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand recently laid out Bohm’s case, highlighting the way he finished after an ugly opening stretch.
“From May 9 through the end of the season, Bohm slashed .274/.340/.433 with 14 home runs and 73 RBIs in 120 games, helping the Phillies overcome a sluggish start to secure a Wild Card berth.” Feinsand wrote.
That late surge was a sharp contrast to how Bohm began the year. In his first 35 games, he batted just .159 with one homer and 15 RBIs, and his .171 batting average on balls in play points to some poor luck in that opening stretch. Even with the slow start, he still wrapped up the season at .249 with 15 home runs and 88 RBIs across 155 games.
For Cleveland, the draw goes beyond the overall numbers. Bohm hits right-handed, and that matters for a lineup that already tilts heavily toward left-handed and switch hitters.
The issue showed up against left-handed pitching in the postseason, when the White Sox stacked lefty after lefty to keep the Guardians’ offense in check early in the division series. Lowe also hit just .111 against lefties during the regular season.
Bohm’s .816 OPS against left-handers this year would give Stephen Vogt another look in those spots.
The fit is reinforced by Bohm’s defensive flexibility. He can handle first base and third base, which would let Cleveland bridge the gap until Velazquez is ready, use him at designated hitter, and give José Ramírez an occasional breather at third.
There’s also no question about the resume. The Phillies drafted Bohm third overall in 2018, he finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2020, and he made his first All-Star team in 2024 while hitting .280 with 97 RBIs.
The contract could be another reason this makes sense. Feinsand reported that one executive believes Bohm may draw multiyear offers with lower annual salaries than he wants, and that he could be better served by taking a one-year deal to rebuild his value. For a team like Cleveland, that kind of shorter, more affordable agreement would fit.
Bohm wouldn’t fix everything the Guardians need offensively, but he checks several boxes at once: right-handed power, lineup balance, and enough defensive versatility to keep the roster moving. That makes him a name worth watching as the winter unfolds.
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Guardians First Base Battle Could Reshape Clevelands Young Lineup
The Guardians late surge toward the 2026 World Series was fueled in large part by the continued rise of young talent, with Chase DeLauter and Gavin Williams becoming central pieces of the clubs next core. Even with that progress, the front office still has a few spots where the long-term picture is not settled, and first base is shaping up as one of the most interesting ones heading into the next spring.
Paul Hoynes recently pointed out that the job could be up for grabs in 2027 spring training, with top prospect Ralphy Velazquez and Kyle Manzardo both in the mix. Velazquez followed a strong 2026 minor league season, while Manzardo slipped after a strong 2025 and eventually pushed the team to add Nathaniel Lowe at the trade deadline, leaving Cleveland with a position battle that could have real impact on how young the lineup comes together. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians May Have Their Next Lineup-Changing Bat In The System
Ralphy Velazquez spent 2026 making a strong case that Cleveland may already have its next middle-of-the-order bat taking shape. The Guardians top prospect put together a big season in the upper minors, hitting .290 with 29 home runs and a .927 OPS over 121 games, production that fits neatly with the organizations long-running need for impact offense from within.
What makes Velazquez especially intriguing is where he could fit next. He is expected to be part of the major league roster in 2027, with first base a possible opening if free agency reshapes the position, and observers around the system have started to mention his upside in the same breath as Chase DeLauter after DeLauters notable rookie season in 2026. For a club that has often had to piece together its lineup, Velazquez looks like the kind of internal bat that can change the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Guardians Face Two Offseason Priorities After Another ALCS Near-Miss
Another October has ended with the Guardians close, but not quite close enough, and the work now shifts to the kind of offseason that can shape whether that kind of near-miss becomes a step forward or just another memory. Cleveland heads into the 2026-27 winter with a familiar mix of promise and urgency, built around a young core and a rotation that has kept the club in the postseason conversation.
Austin Hedges sits near the top of the list of priorities, with the Guardians hoping to bring back the catcher for the leadership and game-calling he provides. Beyond that, the front office knows it needs more than continuity, as free agency could thin out parts of the roster and the club is still searching for impact additions on both offense and the pitching staff to help push past the AL Championship Series ceiling. [Read more 🡒]