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Phillies third base question remains unsettled as Alec Bohm doesn't get a qualifying offer

Goodbye Bohmer, you will be missed.
ByBen Silver
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Sep 30, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Alec Bohm (28) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves in the tenth inning during game two of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Sep 30, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Alec Bohm (28) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves in the tenth inning during game two of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

You can just about close the book on the Alec Bohm era in Philadelphia. With 5 p.m. having come and gone, the deadline has passed for teams to give impending free agents qualifying offers.

Bohm, who surely would have accepted the one-year, $23.15 million deal, is a free agent after seven years with the Phillies.

After setting expectations high during a productive 2020, Bohm continually fell short of Phillies fans' expectations, posting a .273/.325/.410 slash line with putrid defense and 4.9 rWAR during his time in Philadelphia.

Sure, there were flashes of brilliance. Like Brandon Marsh in 2026, Bohm was named an All-Star starter in 2024 after slashing .295/.348/.482 to begin the year. From then on, he had a .681 OPS to end the year.

Moving toward 2027, there are a myriad of options the Phillies could take to fill the vacant third baseman spot in their lineup.

The most direct route would be handing the reins over to top prospect Aidan Miller. For the first time in his pro career, Miller has been playing third base in the Arizona Fall League. He’s slashing .359/.590/.564, and it seems like his back issues have finally abated.

Perhaps he’ll be ready for the big leagues out of spring training, despite the fact that he’s only played eight games above Double-A.

The Phillies could sign Teruaki Sato, the Japanese NPB triple-crown winner in 2026, projected to get a nine-figure contract this winter. As a left-hitter, he'd make a lineup in need of right-handed power even more unbalanced.

Nevertheless, he’s the best third baseman on the open market, and the Phillies wouldn’t have to give up anything to acquire him.

Philadelphia could move Bryson Stott back to third base, where he played so well when Luis Arraez arrived at the ‘26 trade deadline. It would open up second base to re-sign Arraez—another lefty—or to pull elsewhere from the much stronger second base free agent class. Righty Gleyber Torres, and lefty Jazz Chisholm are the best options are the market.

If the Phillies wanted to get creative, they could play musical chairs and trade Stott for a player like Josh Jung to be their third baseman. He has two years of team control and hits from the right side; it would let the Phillies sign one of the aforementioned free agents or turn Miller into a second baseman.

Importantly, change is coming next year. The Phillies are often accused of “running it back.” Fans complain there aren’t enough changes from year to year. Given that baseball has a 26-man roster, it’s impossible not to “run it back.” There are just too many players on unmovable contracts.

But if you compare today's Phillies to their 2022 counterparts, they’re a very different team. The only players remaining from that pennant run are J.T. Realmuto, Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott, Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, Aaron Nola, and Zack Wheeler. Changes come in small increments, and 2027 will be no different. 

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