The Phillies’ offseason already has one of its first clear signs, and it points toward a notable change at third base.
Alec Bohm is being projected to move on in free agency, with Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report forecasting a two-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals worth $30 million and including an opt-out after 2027. For a Phillies team trying to stay in the contender mix while also getting a little younger, that kind of prediction fits the direction of the winter.
Bohm’s time in Philadelphia has been a mix of high-end production and frustrating inconsistency. He owns an All-Star nod with the Phillies, but his track record has also featured long stretches where the bat has gone quiet.
This year followed that familiar pattern: a rough start gave way to a strong second half, when he became one of the club’s better hitters. The source also notes that Bohm was dealing with some off-the-field issues during the season.
There’s also a fit element here. A move away from Philadelphia could make sense for Bohm, and the Cardinals would offer a young roster where he could plug in and contribute. He also showed added value this season by handling first base well in addition to his usual work at third.
Last season, Bohm hit .249/.315/.383 with 15 home runs and 88 RBI. When he’s rolling, he drives in runs at a steady clip, and he has twice come close to reaching 100 RBI in a season.
The structure of the projected deal gives Bohm flexibility, too. The opt-out after 2027 would leave him room to reassess depending on how he performs and what the market looks like if baseball has a salary cap or not.
On the Phillies’ side, not extending a qualifying offer to Bohm may be a clue that they’re preparing for a different answer at third base. Aidan Miller is expected to be part of that conversation, and right now he could be the leading candidate for the job.
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