With spring training now taking place, the Philadelphia Phillies are still fine-tuning their roster in preparation for the regular season opener on March 28. They have made a few depth signings to strengthen their roster and to provide competition over the next few weeks.
The organization has some key players that will be free agents over the next several years. It will be intriguing to watch the changes that are made over the next few seasons with the team being a World Series contender. If they continue to come up short of a championship, what changes could be made? The organization's biggest moves of the offseason include the re-signing of Aaron Nola and signing utilityman Whit Merrifield to a one-year contract.
Let's look at one extension the Phillies should pursue and two they should avoid for now.
The Phillies should avoid an extension for Alec Bohm
Alec Bohm won his recent arbitration case and will earn $4 million in 2024. The total amount is more than the Phillies' offer of $3.4 million. The third baseman will be eligible for arbitration for the next two years before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
What complicates Bohm's future with the Phillies beyond 2026 is two factors. There is a good chance he will become a free agent and seek the best available deal since he is represented by Scott Boras. The agent is well known for letting his clients seek the best contracts in free agency — see the deals Bryce Harper, New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, and Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager got when they became free agents. To be fair, those three players are superstars but the well-known agent has a reputation for getting the most money for his clients.
Alec Bohm wins arbitration hearing over Phillies. Gets $4M (rather than $3.4M)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 16, 2024
Another factor the Phillies need to consider is the development of young third baseman/shortstop Aidan Miller in their prospect system. If the organization doesn't want to include him a trade, where does that leave Bohm's future with the Phillies?
Bohm is a solid player but has demonstrated his flaws over the last few years with Philadelphia. He hasn't always been the best defender and he was average to below average offensively in the postseason at the plate during the last two postseasons. Last year, in particular, he struggled with hitting fourth in the batting order.
He was a productive hitter for most of the regular season no matter where manager Rob Thomson placed him in the lineup. If the Phillies make the playoffs again in 2024 and he has average to below-average statistics at the plate again, it will be concerning.
Should the front office give him a contract with the long-term deals they have given to Trea Turner, Aaron Nola, and Harper? When the time comes for negotiations on a multi-year contract for Bohm to take place, the front office needs to consider if he is worth it or if they want to explore other options at third base. It would not be unexpected if the latter situation is chosen particularly if Miller is excelling in the minor leagues over the next few seasons.