The Philadelphia Phillies' offseason might take a drastic turn soon. It's been a somewhat underwhelming winter so far, but with news that there's mutual interest between star free agent Bo Bichette and the Phillies, buzz is building around the city. However, the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs aren't done with their offseasons quite yet.
The Phillies and Bichette are reportedly set to meet on Monday via video conference (subscription required), according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
With Bichette, who's still 27, looking like he's out of the Toronto Blue Jays' offseason plans, the Phillies have every chance to make a free agent splash just weeks before spring training. Phillies fans, as excited as they will get, will go into this latest rumor cycle with a healthy dose of skepticism based on multiple offseasons of minimal roster changes.
Yankees, Cubs challenging Phillies for star free agent Bo Bichette
That skepticism, as much as it's a self-preservation tool, is warranted. Especially after hearing that there are other contending teams emerging in Bichette's rejuvenated free agent market.
It's a good sign that the Phillies have a concrete meeting arranged, but Bichette is also garnering interest from the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs, per MLB.com's Thomas Harrigan.
The Yankees have had a surprisingly dismal offseason to date. But Heyman reports that they are looking at Bichette "more seriously" thanks to a gap in negotiations with outfielder Cody Bellinger.
As Harrigan notes, the Cubs, who just swung a trade for Miami Marlins starter Edward Cabrera, have also emerged as a potential fit for Bichette. The Cubbies have been linked to the 27-year-old in multiple reports recently.
As if Phillies fans don't have enough to worry about, don't forget about the always looming Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as the Boston Red Sox. Both teams have been repeatedly linked to Bichette, per Harrigan.
Bo Bichette's fourth hit of the day, and his second double 👏 pic.twitter.com/KI42veWOe4
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 29, 2025
Even if fans are ready to move on from veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto in favor of signing Bichette, it's unclear how much the Phillies front office shares that sentiment. Saving the roughly estimated $15 million they were planning for Realmuto would make a significant dent in Bichette's expected $26-$30 million salary. However, that's before luxury tax implications, which would make Bichette's hypothetical first year in red pinstripes much pricier.
A career .294 hitter since debuting in 2019, Bichette hit .311 with an. 840 OPS in 139 games in 2025. He's a two-time All-Star but has also dealt with his fair share of injuries over the last few seasons. He hit just .225 with a .598 OPS in just 81 games in a 2024 campaign that was completely derailed by recurring calf injuries and a broken finger.
Regardless, with Bichette turning 28 before Opening Day, adding his proven bat to the lineup would be a huge get for the Phillies. Now we just have to wait and see how serious they really are and if his other suitors pose a challenge.