The Phillies have already made a few changes on the coaching side, but the bigger question hanging over the offseason is whether they’re ready to shake up the roster too. One name that keeps surfacing is Alec Bohm, and according to MLB insider Robert Murray of Fansided.com, a return to Philadelphia “can’t be ruled out.”
That doesn’t mean it’s the likeliest path. Murray also notes that “with so many teams looking for right-handed hitters, Bohm should have plenty of suitors in free agency,” and adds, “And it would surprise no one if his best days were still ahead of him.”
Bohm has become one of the most divisive players in recent Phillies years, the kind of hitter who gives fans both reasons to defend him and reasons to want something new. He’s delivered plenty of productive stretches, but the highs have come with enough rough patches to keep the debate going.
Since 2020, Bohm has played 874 games for Philadelphia across seven seasons and has produced 4.9 bWAR. His -0.2 bWAR last season was the second-worst mark of his MLB career.
The numbers paint the picture of a solid bat without much pop. Bohm has hit 85 home runs since his MLB debut, but he has driven in 483 runs and carries a .273 batting average with a .735 OPS. That’s a useful hitter, but not exactly the kind of profile that settles a fan base down for good.
If the Phillies did bring him back, it likely wouldn’t go over smoothly with everyone, especially with plenty of supporters wanting a fresh face in the infield after the team’s latest postseason disappointment. Aidan Miller could be part of that conversation, and so could another free-agent or trade addition if the club decides to move in a different direction.
Murray didn’t shut the door on a reunion, but his own note about Bohm’s market suggests Philadelphia may not be able to treat this as a simple keep-or-let-walk decision. After a frustrating 2026 season for the 30-year-old infielder, a second act in Philadelphia may be possible - but it still feels far from certain.
In Other News...
Phillies May Have Pulled Off Another Pitching Bargain With Jess Luzardo
Jess Luzardos arrival in Philadelphia already looks like the kind of move that can age well for a contender. The Phillies landed him in a trade that sent Emaarion Boyd and Starlyn Caba the other way, then committed even further by extending him on a five-year, $135 million deal that begins in 2027 and includes a sixth-year team option. For a club that has not been shy about investing in pitching, Luzardo fits the profile of a buy-now, pay-later arm with real upside.
The early return has only sharpened that impression. Luzardo was strong in 2026, posting a 2.86 ERA over 179.2 innings and giving the Phillies the kind of stability they value deep into a season. Inside the organization, there is also a sense that their coaching staff helped unlock more of what he could become, which only raises the possibility that Philadelphia may have found another pitching bargain before the market fully caught up. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Face A Costly Jhoan Duran Decision Sooner Than Expected
Jhoan Duran has already become the kind of late-inning arm a contender can build around, and for the Phillies that comes with an uncomfortable reality. He has only one year of team control left before reaching free agency after the 2027 season, which means a pitcher who has quickly established himself as the clubs closer may be headed toward a big-money conversation sooner than expected. Around the league, recent deals for elite relievers like Edwin Daz and Josh Hader have reset the market, and Duran is now in the conversation for that same tier of long-term value.
Philadelphia has not announced any extension, but the stakes are clear enough for a front office that has shown a willingness to spend when it believes the fit is right. A record-setting relief contract is at least a possibility if the Phillies decide Duran is worth locking up beyond his current window, though the shape of any future deal could be influenced by the upcoming collective bargaining agreement negotiations. For now, the question is not whether Duran matters to the Phillies, but how expensive it will be to keep him at the back of the bullpen. [Read more 🡒]
Phillies Bullpen Is Taking Shape But One Need Still Looms
The Phillies have already made one major move this offseason by bringing in Don Mattingly on a two-year contract, and now the attention is turning to the relief corps. Team president Dave Dombrowski has said he feels good about several of the pitchers already in place, which gives Philadelphia a useful base as it tries to sort out the late innings and build a bullpen that can hold up over a long season.
Left-handed relief, though, remains the obvious gap. Philadelphia is looking at a range of free-agent options, even as the market carries extra uncertainty because of the possibility of a lockout. For a club trying to sharpen its roster before spring, the bullpen picture is improving, but one key piece still has to be found. [Read more 🡒]