MLB Insider: Phillies Likely to Trade Infielder This Offseason

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal said on Foul Territory that he expects the Phillies to trade infielder Alec Bohm this offseason. Bohm has been a widely discussed trade candidate this offseason. Entering his age-28 season, he is under team control through the 2026 season. Bohm made the All-Star team for the first time in 2024. In 143 games last season, he had a .280/.332/.448 line with 15 home runs and 97 RBI, along with a 115 wRC+.

Defensively at third base in 2024, Bohm recorded career bests in Defensive Runs Saved, Outs Above Average, and Fielding Run Value. If Bohm is traded, that effectively rules out Bryce Harper returning to the outfield next season.

Potential Trade Packages for the Phillies’ Alec Bohm

All prospect rankings are according to the latest MLB Pipeline rankings, and Baseball Trade Values was used to help create these trade proposals.

Trade #1 – Seattle Mariners

Phillies Receive: RHP Luis Castillo + C Harry Ford (MLB No. 49 prospect/SEA No. 4 prospect)

Mariners Receive: IF Alec Bohm

Rosenthal named the Mariners as a potential destination for Bohm. Seattle needs help offensively, specifically in the infield. Adam Jude of the Seattle Times reported a few weeks ago that the Phillies and Mariners have had trade talks discussing Bohm. Jude reported that the Phillies asked for Logan Gilbert or George Kirby in those discussions. The Mariners have starting pitching depth they are willing to trade from to help in other areas. Castillo is viewed as the most likely Mariners pitcher to be traded. Assuming Rosenthal is correct about the Phillies being expected to trade Bohm, anticipate the Mariners to be a potential trade partner.

Rosenthal did mention Castillo as someone who could be involved in a hypothetical Phillies-Mariners trade. He is under contract through the 2027 season with a vesting option for 2028. However, Castillo currently has a no-trade clause. Meanwhile, Ford being included in this trade helps even out the value per Baseball Trade Values. Ford joining the Phillies would improve their catching depth. J.T. Realmuto is entering the last year of his contract. The Phillies top catching prospect, Eduardo Tait, is still a few years away from being major league ready. Adding Castillo would open the door for the Phillies to trade Ranger Suárez, who is entering his last year of team control.

Trade #2 – Chicago Cubs

Phillies Receive: OF Ian Happ + RHP Michael Arias (CHC No. 18 prospect)

Cubs Receive: IF Alec Bohm

The Cubs have been speculated as a potential destination for Bohm after the Kyle Tucker trade. In that deal, the Cubs sent Isaac Paredes to the Houston Astros. This leaves the Cubs with an opening for a corner infielder like Bohm. The Phillies need outfield help, and Happ would be a decent fit. While Seiya Suzuki is also a good fit, Happ and Bohm are closer in trade value. Based on the Baseball Trade Values ratings, the Cubs would have to include more players in a Suzuki-for-Bohm deal than a Happ-for-Bohm trade. It is also possible that Happ and Suzuki go to the Phillies in a more expansive and complex package.

Arias is included in this deal to make the values even out slightly better. Currently, Arias is the Cubs fourth best pitching prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Adding Arias would give the Phillies more pitching depth. However, it likely wouldn’t create the domino effect the other trade proposal might. Arias is not a player who the Phillies acquiring would lead them to trade Suárez. With Happ having $40 million remaining on his contract over the next two seasons, adding in a prospect might help a team take on all of that contract in a trade scenario. It remains to be seen what will happen, though.