The Philadelphia Phillies are still reeling from a painful end to their 2025 campaign, having been eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in last October’s postseason. After reaching the World Series in 2022, expectations around the organization remain sky-high, and the front office knows that returning to that stage is the ultimate objective. As a result, this offseason has taken on added importance as the Phillies search for the final pieces to push them back into championship contention.
Philadelphia appeared close to landing one of the biggest prizes on the market, shortstop Bo Bichette, before he ultimately chose to sign with division rivals, the New York Mets. The Mets moved swiftly after missing out on Kyle Tucker, agreeing to a three-year, $126 million deal with Bichette. According to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo, the contract includes opt-out clauses after both the first and second seasons, carries no deferred money, and averages $42 million per year, pending a physical.
Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski later admitted that the near-miss made the situation particularly difficult to swallow. He believed negotiations were progressing toward an agreement and felt the team was on the verge of finalizing the deal before the Mets swooped in.
“I genuinely thought we were going to get something done,” Dombrowski said. “We were close. It was a gut punch. But until there’s a signed memo of understanding, you don’t actually have a deal.”
With the offseason calendar moving closer to spring training, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer believes the Phillies still have an opportunity to respond decisively. He predicts that Philadelphia could shift its focus toward signing veteran third baseman Eugenio Suárez, a two-time All-Star and Gold Glove finalist, to fill the vacancy at the hot corner.
Rymer noted that missing out on Bichette, combined with other high-profile players such as Luis Robert Jr. and Freddy Peralta also landing with the Mets, has increased the pressure on the Phillies’ front office to make a meaningful move. In his view, Suárez represents the most logical pivot. Known as one of baseball’s premier power hitters, Suárez would be a natural fit in Citizens Bank Park, where his power profile could thrive.
By adding Suárez, the Phillies could soften the blow of losing out on a marquee free agent who once appeared destined for Philadelphia. His experience and offensive production would likely endear him quickly to the fanbase and provide much-needed thump in the middle of the lineup.
Most importantly, Suárez would be a clear upgrade at third base over Alec Bohm, reinforcing the Phillies’ push to return to the World Series. Such a signing could also signal a broader roster shake-up, potentially opening the door for Bohm to be included in future trade discussions as the organization continues reshaping its squad for another deep postseason run.
