During the offseason, the Philadelphia Phillies have been evaluating their roster and trying to determine the best course of action regarding third baseman Alec Bohm. Bohm is approaching the final year of his current contract with the organization, which has sparked speculation about whether the team intends to keep him long-term or move in a different direction.
Earlier in the offseason, there was significant discussion that the Phillies might consider trading Bohm if it created an opportunity to sign another star infielder such as Alex Bregman or Bo Bichette. The idea was that if Philadelphia could secure one of these high-profile players, the organization might be willing to part ways with Bohm to upgrade its lineup and strengthen its infield.
According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, the Phillies would only consider trading Bohm if they believed a clear improvement was available. Morosi explained that the team would need confidence that acquiring a player like Bregman or potentially repositioning Bichette somewhere in the infield would represent a meaningful upgrade over Bohm’s production at third base. Essentially, the Phillies would only make such a move if it significantly improved the team’s competitiveness.
However, despite the speculation, the Phillies ultimately did not succeed in signing either Bregman or Bichette during free agency. Instead, the organization made headlines by securing a long-term deal with pitcher Jesús Luzardo. The Phillies agreed to a major contract extension with the left-handed pitcher one year before he was scheduled to enter free agency.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Luzardo’s extension is a five-year deal worth $135 million. The agreement keeps him under contract with the Phillies through the 2031 MLB season, and it also includes a club option for the 2032 season, giving the team additional flexibility if he continues performing at a high level.
While this move strengthens Philadelphia’s pitching staff, it may also have implications for the team’s financial priorities and long-term roster construction. Because the Phillies have committed such a large amount of money to Luzardo, it appears increasingly unlikely that the organization will pursue a long-term extension with Bohm as well.
Sports analyst Christopher Kline of FanSided suggested that many Phillies fans would not necessarily be upset if Bohm eventually signed with another team after his contract expires. According to Kline, the Luzardo extension significantly reduces whatever chances remained that Bohm would stay with the Phillies for the long term.
That said, Bohm’s overall performance should not be overlooked. Although his production dipped somewhat last season, he had previously delivered strong results for the team. In both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Bohm recorded 97 RBIs, demonstrating his ability to contribute consistently in the middle of the Phillies’ batting lineup.
While critics sometimes point out that Bohm does not hit as many home runs as some power hitters, his ability to make consistent contact and drive in runs has been valuable to the team, particularly when batting in the cleanup spot. Many observers believe that his offensive contributions deserve recognition, even if his power numbers are not among the league’s best.
Looking ahead, the Phillies have several possible paths regarding Bohm’s future. The organization could choose to keep him for the upcoming season and simply allow his contract to run its course. Alternatively, if a favorable trade opportunity emerges, the team might decide to move him before the season ends.
At this point, however, the situation suggests that the upcoming season could very well be Bohm’s final year with the Phillies. The uncertainty surrounding his future has been developing within the organization for quite some time, as Bohm has not completely met the lofty expectations that once surrounded him earlier in his career.
For many Phillies fans, the possibility of a change at third base has generated excitement and curiosity about what direction the team may take next. Whether through a trade, free agency, or internal development, the Phillies appear to be evaluating their long-term options as they continue building a roster capable of competing at the highest level.
