The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to draw significant attention during the upcoming Winter Meetings. After improving their regular-season win total for the sixth consecutive full season but falling short in the postseason, the organization is undergoing thorough evaluations.
The front office aims to identify the key issues that hindered their playoff success and address those areas to ensure they remain strong contenders in the National League.
The Phillies are actively addressing their bullpen as part of their offseason strategy. Key relievers Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez, both of whom played critical late-game roles, are now free agents, leaving significant gaps to fill. In response, the team has taken a proactive step by agreeing to a deal with Jordan Romano. The former Blue Jays closer, non-tendered earlier this offseason following a challenging 2024 season and injury issues, offers a potential high-upside addition to their relief corps.
Beyond the bullpen, the Phillies are also exploring moves on the trade market. Alec Bohm has reportedly been made available, while the team is also rumored to be open to trading Nick Castellanos and possibly starting pitcher Ranger Suárez, signaling an aggressive approach to reshaping their roster for 2025.
Alec Bohm is currently drawing the most interest on the trade market, especially as teams look to strengthen at third base. Following Willy Adames’ significant contract with the San Francisco Giants and with Alex Bregman being the only other standout option at the position, Bohm has become a highly attractive target.
Alden Gonzalez of ESPN speculates that Bohm could be traded during the Winter Meetings, predicting a potential deal with the Seattle Mariners. Gonzalez notes the compatibility of the Phillies’ Dave Dombrowski and the Mariners’ Jerry Dipoto, two of the most proactive executives in MLB. The match is logical based on the Mariners’ need for offensive reinforcement and the Phillies’ willingness to entertain offers for Bohm.
This rumor underscores both teams’ ambitions to capitalize on their respective strengths, with Seattle offering promising pitching talent that could address Philadelphia’s needs in return for Bohm’s consistent offensive production. Fans will be watching closely as these discussions develop at the Winter Meetings.
The Seattle Mariners, rich in pitching depth, are in need of offensive upgrades. If they choose not to invest heavily in free agency to bolster their lineup, trading from their surplus of arms becomes a logical alternative. This aligns well with the Phillies’ needs, as they are actively seeking to add more pitching.
If the Phillies trade Alec Bohm to the Mariners, they could address their pitching needs and explore options to replace Bohm at third base. Possibilities include entering the market for Alex Bregman, who remains a coveted upgrade at the position, or pursuing a trade for Nolan Arenado if the St. Louis Cardinals make him available.
A deal involving Bohm would likely have broader implications across MLB. Philadelphia is unlikely to make such a move without a clear contingency plan, signaling their commitment to staying competitive. Should Gonzalez’s prediction of a Bohm-to-Mariners trade materialize, it could set off a domino effect, with teams responding to the reshaped dynamics in the market for third basemen.
