The Phillies’ offseason could open with a simple but significant question: what happens at third base if Alec Bohm is gone?
Bohm is heading into free agency for the first time in his career, and his future in Philadelphia is already a topic of real debate. MLB insider Jon Morosi said any move away from Bohm would need to come with a meaningful upgrade.
“If the Phillies were to move Bohm, in my judgment, it would have to be because they think there's a chance of getting a Bregman or they're one of the teams potentially that could look at a Bo Bichette at a spot that's not shortstop," MLB insider Jon Morosi said."There's different ways they could augment their club, but you would have to have a clear upgrade on Bohm if you're gonna go ahead and make that trade."
If Bohm does depart, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley sees a possible answer in Japan: Teruaki Sato. Buckley projected the Phillies to sign the soon-to-be posted slugger, who just put together a monster season in the NPB triple crown race with 39 homers, 106 RBI and a .306/.383/.609 slash line.
“It sounds like they might be as interested as anyone in (soon-to-be posted) Japanese star Teruaki Sato, who captured the NPB triple crown with 39 homers, 106 RBI and a .306/.383/.609 slash line. Sato has drawn some comparisons to NPB-turned-Chicago White Sox star Munetaka Murakami, though Sato is seen as providing better defense and less power.
If the power drop-off isn't much-Murakami belted 35 homers-Sato could be the perfect option to help the Phillies get younger and more dynamic. Prediction: Sato signs with the Philadelphia Phillies,” Buckley wrote.
Philadelphia’s timing matters. The club is trying to stay in the race for a World Series title over the next couple of seasons, and this winter looms as one of the more important ones in that push. More offense, especially more pop, would fit that goal.
Sato’s 39-homer season is going to draw plenty of interest from teams seeking help at the plate, and the Phillies could be one of them. With the comparison to Munetaka Murakami already part of the conversation, he looks like a real option for a club weighing its next move at third base.
The backdrop for all of this is a Phillies team that already had an early-season jolt last year, then fought its way into the playoffs before falling to the Atlanta Braves. Don Mattingly will be back to guide the club after the team announced he signed a two-year deal to remain manager after taking over as interim skipper just 28 games into the season.
“Don Mattingly, who guided the Philadelphia Phillies to the postseason after taking over as interim manager just 28 games into the season, will return as the team's manager after signing a two-year deal, it was announced Wednesday," ESPN wrote.
Now the focus shifts to reshaping the roster around that return. And at third base, the Phillies may soon have to choose between keeping Bohm or chasing a bigger swing.
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