The Phillies’ offseason plans are going to hinge in part on what happens with Alec Bohm, and the most straightforward path may also be the smartest one.
Philadelphia is expected to hunt for lineup help this winter, with power near the top of the wish list. The ideal addition would be an outfielder, especially after the club’s production from that spot fell short in 2026. But Bohm’s situation could shape everything the front office does from here.
Bohm, the Phillies’ first-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Wichita State University, has been part of the lineup since his 2020 debut, when he finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting. Now set for free agency, he brings both value and uncertainty, which is why Cole Weintraub of NBC Sports Philadelphia sees a clear answer.
“The Phillies extend the qualifying offer, and Bohm accepts it. It would be an expensive one-year agreement, but it may be the cleanest compromise for both sides,” Weintraub wrote.
That qualifying offer is worth $23.15 million this offseason. For Bohm, that kind of one-year payday would be hard to turn down, especially compared with what he might land on the open market in a multi-year deal. He made $10.2 million this past season, so the jump would be substantial.
It would also give Bohm a chance to keep betting on himself after a rough beginning to the 2026 season. His second-half surge and postseason performance made a strong case for bringing him back, at least in the short term. He may not be the pure power bat the Phillies want, but right-handed run producers are not easy to find, and Bohm has shown he can fill that role.
For Philadelphia, the qualifying offer creates both protection and flexibility. If Bohm declines and signs elsewhere, the Phillies would collect draft compensation to help replenish the farm system. If he accepts, the club keeps a useful piece for another year while buying time for top prospect Aidan Miller, who missed nearly the entire 2026 season with a back injury.
That arrangement also lines up with the bigger roster picture. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are already locked in as the first baseman and designated hitter, which makes a long-term home for Bohm harder to map out with Miller on the way. A one-year deal would keep the infield open for now and preserve a spot for Miller as soon as 2028.
Bohm showed in the postseason that he can still matter in the middle of the order. The question is whether the Phillies need him for just one more year, and the qualifying offer may be the cleanest way to answer it.
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