After an unexpected early playoff exit for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024, their focus this offseason is to retool their roster to make them even better for the upcoming season. With many big names available in free agency, the Phillies have the prime opportunity to make massive upgrades to give themselves the best chances of winning in 2025.
However, the Phillies must be careful that they don’t get into a bidding war with prospective teams over any one player. Otherwise, it could severely limit what they intend to accomplish this winter. As a result, let’s take a look at four prime free agent candidates that Philadelphia should avoid overspending on.
4 free agents the Phillies shouldn’t bother getting into a bidding war over
Alex Bregman, 3B
Alex Bregman has been known to be one of the best third basemen for quite some time now ever since his breakout season in 2018. As a two-time All-Star and World Series champion, former AL MVP finalist, Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner, Bregman has proven that he can get things done. With the ability to average close to 30 home runs and 100 RBI over a full 162-game schedule each season while batting above .270, he is as reliable as one could be in terms of run production.
Recent rumors also have it that if the Phillies are successful in trading Alec Bohm, Bregman will be one of the top options they would pursue to replace Bohm, as per MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
However, Philadelphia could be up against a whole bunch of suitors, including Bregman’s former team, the Houston Astros. In addition, with his contract demands exceeding $200 million, the Phillies could already be in tough to meet the potential financial threshold.
It’s one thing to overspend on a player who still has potential and is on the rise. It’s another thing if they are on the decline. Bregman has not been able to replicate his numbers from his All-Star years in 2018 and 2019 over the past few seasons.
More importantly, as Mark Feinsand of MLB.com points out, his walk rate dropped considerably, down to 6.9 percent this past season. Together with a bump in chase rate to 23.6 percent, his highest since 2017, Bregman may be showing some initial signs of decline at the plate already after just entering the wrong side of 30.