The Philadelphia Phillies were once the trendy pick to win a World Series in the near future. Suddenly, that future seems to be slipping through their fingers.
For the third year in a row, the Phillies were met with bitter playoff disappointment, and this time, they went out earlier than ever before. A loss to the rival New York Mets in four games in the National League Division Series put the Phillies out of the playoffs less than a week after they began play.
In hopes of avoiding a continued slide out of the World Series picture, the Phillies could be forced to change their formula heading into the 2025 season. And that could mean cutting ties with one or more of their key starters from the past few seasons.
Which starter should the Phillies let go? It's up for debate, but Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report believes first-time All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm is the most likely Phillies player to be dealt between now and Opening Day.
"Multiple players stand out as potential trade candidates... but none quite like Alec Bohm. He endured a brutal end to his 2024 season after an All-Star first half, and questions about his composure just keep finding new ways to resurface," Rymer said,
"The Phillies would dodge a projected $8.1 million salary for 2025 if they were to trade the 28-year-old. It's not a ton of money, but it could nonetheless go toward upgrades for the bullpen or the outfield."
Bohm had a phenomenal first half to the season, which seemed to solidify his status as the team's long-term answer at third base. But he regressed in the second half, dealt with a nagging injury just before the playoffs, and found himself benched in favor of Edmundo Sosa in Game 2 against the Mets.
With two years of team control remaining and top prospect Aidan Miller lurking as an option to take over third base when Bohm is gone, the Phillies have a decision to make, a decision that hinges on which version of Bohm they believe they'll be getting moving forward.
Is Bohm the player he seemed to be becoming during the first half of 2024, or closer to the diminished version we saw in the second half? The Phillies will have to act based on what they believe the answer to be.
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