Since the Philadelphia Phillies benched third baseman Alec Bohm for Game 2 of the National League Division Series in October, rumors have been swirling about a potential trade involving the 2024 All-Star. These speculations gained traction as the Phillies signaled their intent to shake up the roster following their third straight playoff exit. Manager Rob Thomson sought to calm the chatter at the Winter Meetings.
“I just wanted to reassure [Bohm], let him know we’re not actively shopping him,” Thomson told NBC Sports. “He’s a talented player, and with that comes interest from other teams… Anything is possible, but we’re not out there looking to trade him.”
Despite Thomson’s comments, some remain skeptical. While the Phillies may not be proactively shopping Bohm, they could still entertain a trade if the right offer comes along. However, given Philadelphia’s long-term vision for the team, it’s unlikely Bohm will be moved — at least not unless another club is willing to overpay.
The Phillies Are Looking To Shake Up the Roster
The Philadelphia Phillies defied expectations in 2022 by making a thrilling run to the World Series, ultimately falling to the Houston Astros in six games. That performance appeared to mark the opening of a championship window. In 2023, they built on that momentum, reaching the National League Championship Series as defending NL champions, but fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a hard-fought seven-game series.
In 2024, the Phillies returned to the playoffs for a third straight season but failed to advance past the NL Division Series, losing to the New York Mets in four games. While the 2024 campaign was far from a disappointment—Philadelphia claimed the NL East title with a 95-67 record—falling short of previous postseason benchmarks has made it clear to the front office that adjustments are needed.
“We have a lot of good players,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said after the team’s NLDS exit. “I think we just have to be open-minded, explore what’s out there, talk to some clubs, and see where that takes us. Sometimes you trade good players for good players.”
“You’re never satisfied unless you win it all,” Dombrowski added. “We didn’t win the whole thing. We’ve got a solid core, but our goal is to keep improving.”
This offseason, the Phillies have taken significant steps to bolster their roster. They signed free-agent reliever Jordan Romano to a one-year, $8.5 million deal on December 9 and added outfielder Max Kepler with a one-year, $10 million contract 11 days later. On December 22, they traded for left-handed starter Jesús Luzardo and minor-league catcher Paul McIntosh from the Miami Marlins, sending prospects Starlyn Caba and Emaarion Boyd in return. Most recently, they signed right-hander Joe Ross to a one-year, $4 million deal on December 23.
While the Phillies’ moves so far have primarily focused on strengthening their pitching staff, they remain intent on “altering the profile of their lineup,” according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. With long-term contracts already in place for Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Nick Castellanos, third baseman Alec Bohm stands out as a potential trade candidate. Though Bohm is under club control for two more seasons, and the Phillies lack an obvious replacement at third base, his status remains uncertain as the team looks to reshape its roster.
Will Alec Bohm Be Traded This Winter?
In 606 plate appearances during the 2024 season, Alec Bohm delivered a solid .280/.332/.448 slash line, hitting 15 home runs, driving in 97 runs, and accumulating a career-high 248 total bases. He also led the Phillies with 44 doubles and earned the first All-Star nod of his career. While his 6.6% walk rate lagged behind league averages, Bohm excelled at making contact, with a 14.2% strikeout rate and a 17.6% whiff rate that ranked in the 92nd and 86th percentiles among qualified batters.
Bohm’s progress wasn’t limited to his offense. Defensively, he posted 5 Outs Above Average (OAA)—third-best on the team behind Bryce Harper and Johan Rojas (8 each)—and a Fielding Run Value (FRV) of 4, demonstrating noticeable improvement over the past two years.
However, Bohm’s postseason performance left much to be desired. He went ice cold at the plate, hitting a dismal .077/.143/.077 in 14 playoff plate appearances and managing just one hit. His struggles led to a benching in Game 2 of the NLDS. Rumors swirled that Bohm’s maturity might have factored into the decision, with former All-Star A.J. Pierzynski criticizing his emotional outbursts after poor results. Regardless, Bohm’s offensive slump was undeniable.
While Bohm’s talent is evident—he finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2020—his career so far has been marked by inconsistency. Rather than becoming a franchise cornerstone, he has settled into more of a supporting role in the Phillies’ lineup. With two years of club control remaining, Bohm’s future in Philadelphia is now a hot topic of debate.
Despite manager Rob Thomson’s assurances that Bohm isn’t being shopped, speculation persists. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, for instance, believes a trade is likely. “The Phillies clearly want to trade him,” Rosenthal said on Foul Territory on December 17. “I would expect he will not be on the Phillies by the start of the season.”
Reports suggest the Phillies have set a high price for Bohm. On December 16, Rosenthal revealed that when the Oakland Athletics inquired about him, Philadelphia asked for All-Star reliever Mason Miller in return, effectively halting any further discussion. While such a steep demand may seem unrealistic, it underscores the Phillies’ reluctance to part with Bohm unless they receive a significant overpay.
Ultimately, it seems the Phillies are willing to keep Bohm unless a truly compelling offer emerges, preserving their leverage while exploring all options for reshaping their roster.
The Phillies Won’t Trade Alec Bohm — Yet
Unless a team comes forward with a near-ridiculous overpay, Alec Bohm is unlikely to be traded this offseason. For now, the Phillies appear to be using Bohm as a stopgap until they have a better option ready to take over at third base. However, his departure seems inevitable—possibly as soon as next offseason or when top prospect Aidan Miller is ready to make his MLB debut.
Miller, ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Phillies’ system by Just Baseball, has made rapid progress since being drafted out of high school. In 2024, he advanced from Single-A to Double-A, reaching the second-highest level of the minors in just 14 months. Across three levels, Miller posted a respectable .261/.366/.446 slash line in 462 plate appearances, hitting 11 home runs, driving in 60 runs, and stealing 23 bases. Initially drafted as a shortstop, Miller has begun transitioning to third base, where scouts expect him to continue developing and ultimately stick.
At the Phillies’ end-of-season press conference, team president Dave Dombrowski stated that Miller likely wouldn’t reach the majors in 2025. Even so, the 20-year-old is clearly a rising star, regarded as the organization’s future cornerstone. Given Miller’s high profile—he’s been on the national radar since middle school—it’s easy to see why the Phillies are keeping an eye on his timeline.
For now, Bohm remains the best option at third base, especially since he’s under team control through 2026. There’s little sense in moving him for a lackluster return, which would force the Phillies to either rush Miller’s development or acquire a stopgap replacement. Despite some inconsistencies, Bohm is solid enough to contribute to a contending season in 2025.
However, if a team offers an over-the-top trade package—similar to the Athletics’ interest in Mason Miller—the Phillies won’t hesitate to part ways with Bohm sooner. Since no such deal has materialized, Bohm’s place on the roster appears secure for now. Still, with Miller’s eventual debut looming, Bohm’s days in Philadelphia seem numbered.
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