Jul 10, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (7) bats during the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports Orlando Ramirez
After a frustrating finish to the season that included not being in the starting lineup for Game 2 of the NLDS, Alec Bohm was asked by On Pattison if he felt like he was at something of a crossroads with the team.
"No," Bohm said. "I know where I'll be next year."
Alec Bohm on if he’s at a crossroads: “No, I know where I’ll be next year.” @OnPattison @PhilliesNation pic.twitter.com/MzCAMAf9a8
However, ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote Tuesday that Bohm "finds himself on the trade block," despite having two remaining seasons of arbitration eligibility until free agency. There are some times where national writers or pundits will say something like this, but you get the sense they are trying to almost will it into existence based on the desires of an agent or team. Passan doesn't fall into that category — he's not someone who just throws stuff against the wall.
So while it's not a certainty that Bohm will be traded, it at least seems to be a possibility. In theory, the Phillies would move Bohm to help address another need on the roster, such as a back-end reliever or outfielder. That, though, would leave them with a hole at third base, one that it's hard to imagine being filled internally.
Edmundo Sosa is an excellent bench player but has gotten exposed at the plate when he's been given a chance to play more frequently. He's also a much better defender in the middle infield than third base. Despite declining defensive metrics, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has insisted that Trea Turner will remain at shortstop in 2025. If Turner is staying at shortstop, Bryson Stott — who was a Gold Glove finalist for the second year in a row — is probably staying at second base, although he did play a little third base in his rookie season. MLB Pipeline actually now has Aidan Miller as the No. 1 prospect in the Phillies' system, above Andrew Painter. But the 20-year-old has done better at shortstop than anticipated in the minors, and likely won't be ready for the majors until 2026 at the earliest.
And so, if the Phillies plug one hole by trading Bohm, it will create another at third base. There's certainly a way to do that and improve the overall roster, but it will take some creativity.
ESPN's Passan Says Phillies' Alec Bohm On Trade Block@OnPattison https://t.co/BmxLqRTnMr
— John Foley (@2008Philz) November 12, 2024
Perhaps the Phillies could become players for Alex Bregman or Willy Adames — who is apparently willing to move off of shortstop in the right situation — but there's no evidence to this point that Dombrowski and managing partner John Middleton are planning to make a $125+ million investment in free agency this offseason.
After Bregman and Adames, the free-agent options at third base fall off a cliff. Justin Turner is going to turn 40 later this month, and is pretty much a DH at this stage of his career. J.D. Davis, Yoán Moncada and Gio Urshela don't exactly move the needle.
Ha-Seong Kim is an interesting name to consider. He's a natural middle infielder, and a damn good one at that. It would be a little weird to not have him play shortstop or second base for you, but he does have nine defensive runs saved in 590.1 innings at third base in his career. Now, he's coming off of right shoulder surgery, and having him immediately jump into throwing from third base might not be ideal. He may also not be ready for Opening Day. But he would check a lot of other boxes for the Phillies. Just two seasons ago, Kim hit .260 with 17 home runs, 60 RBIs, 38 stolen bases, 75 walks and a .749 OPS. If the Phillies are looking to add a contact hitter that could offer an alternative to Kyle Schwarber to lead off, Kim makes sense. Because he's coming off of an injury, he's likely going to end up with a one-year pillow contract. Over on Bleacher Report, I projected that he will sign a one-year/$14 million deal. He would also be eligible to receive the qualifying offer next winter if he bounces back and is healthy in 2024. Kim is entering his age-29 season.
Fantastic catch & throw by Ha-Seong #Kim🤩 safe though !! pic.twitter.com/TPYPkwjHHh
What about possible candidates to acquire in a trade?
Eugenio Suárez is well-regarded around the sport, as well he should be. The Arizona Diamondbacks recently picked up his $15 million club option after he overcame a disappointing first half to be one of baseball's best hitters after the All-Star Break, homering 20 times and posting a .942 OPS. But beyond the possibility that the Diamondbacks — who won 89 games in 2024 — might not want to trade Suárez, he probably doesn't fit what the Phillies need. He has tremendous power, but also leads baseball with 1,013 strikeouts since the start of the 2019 season. He's one spot above Schwarber. Nick Castellanos is also in the top 15.
Jeimer Candelario is on a bit of an every-other-year thing right now, and 2024 — the first season of a three-year/$45 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds — was an off year. Candelario hit just .225 with a -0.4 WAR, per FanGraphs. However, Candelario earned that contract with the Reds because of an tremendous 2023 season, which he split between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs. Candelario hit 22 home runs with 70 RBIs and an .870 OPS in 2023. At his best, he's a doubles machine. He doubled 39 times in 2023, and led baseball with 42 doubles as a member of the Detroit Tigers in 2021. He hasn't graded out particularly well defensively, as he posted -6 defensive runs saved at third base a year ago. But if the Reds were willing to eat a bit of his money to facilitate a trade, the soon-to-be 31-year-old would make some sense in the Phillies' lineup.
Jeimer Candelario won't stop hitting home runs 🤯
That's his 8TH of the month!
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/Pc73n6P09v
The Cardinals — looking to cut costs — will apparently consider trade offers for future Hall of Famer Nolan Arenado this offseason, per Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Arenado is coming off of a disappointing offensive season, as the eight-time All-Star posted just a .719 OPS in 635 plate appearances in 2024. With that said, one of the greatest fielders in MLB history still had six defensive runs saved and nine outs above average at third base last season. The $52 million that Arenado is owed over the next three years is manageable, particularly since the Colorado Rockies are still kicking in $4 million per year. He will turn 34 next April, and would be joining a team that's getting old in a hurry. That's something worth considering, as is the fact he would have to waive his full no-trade clause. But it's at least worth making a call on Arenado.
Some other names worth checking in on would be Josh Smith of the Texas Rangers, Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs (a second baseman you would have to convert to third base), Brett Baty of the New York Mets (very unlikely they move him within the division), Ryan McMahon of the Rockies and Brendan Donovan of the Cardinals.
Again, it's not a certainty Bohm will be traded. But if he is, there will likely have to be a follow-up addition to fill third base for at least a year, if not two or three.
