Trade rumors have flown around the third base position for the Philadelphia Phillies all winter.
After his first All-Star selection in July, incumbent Phillies starter Alec Bohm slumped his way to the finish line. Entering his age-29 season, Bohm has frequently been tossed around in trade debates as a candidate for teams desperate to add affordable offense.
Though the Phillies don’t have to trade Bohm, an offer from the right team could certainly force their hand. He’s only under team control for two more years and is likely to make roughly $20 million in those two seasons through arbitration.
One writer believes losing Bohm in a trade realistically clears the way for the Phillies to add a future Hall of Famer in his place.
On Monday, Zach Pressnell of Newsweek proposed a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals that would send eight-time All-Star Nolan Arenado and $25 million in cash considerations to Philadelphia for infield prospect Gabriel Rincones Jr.
“The Phillies would get the veteran leader they’re looking for in this deal, along with $25 million to pay half of Arenado’s remaining contract,” Pressnell said. “Losing Rincones wouldn’t crush the Phillies farm system, especially if they add an outfielder by trading Bohm.”
Arenado, who is entering his age-34 season, has shown signs of entering his decline. He had just a .719 OPS in 2024, his lowest since his rookie season in 2013, and hasn’t won a Gold Glove the last two years after a previous streak of 10 in a row.
If the Cardinals were to eat nearly half of the $52 million Arenado is still owed on his contract, the Phillies would certainly consider acquiring him more palatable. But, of course, none of this works without first finding a suitor for Bohm, which has yet to materialize.
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