Could the Philadelphia Phillies take an aggressive approach once free agency opens? Last offseason, they stayed relatively quiet and didn’t land any big-ticket names. This winter could be different, with some of their own stars hitting the market and a few positions looking unsettled. Third base may be one of them. Alec Bohm has held down the job for five years, but his underwhelming performance this season—on the heels of a second-half slump last year—has sparked speculation about a possible upgrade.
On Thursday, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand added to that conversation, identifying the Phillies as one of the top potential landing spots for Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman, should the three-time All-Star opt out of the final two years of his contract. “Injuries have limited Bregman to only 81 games this season, but he’s performed well when he’s played, posting a .917 OPS with 16 homers,” Feinsand wrote. “Even with the missed time, he’s on pace for his fourth straight season with an fWAR of at least 4.0, so it won’t be a shock if he opts out in search of a longer deal. Potential fits: Phillies, Red Sox, Tigers.”
Feinsand didn’t suggest Philadelphia has made or will make a push, but the fit is clear. Bregman represents a notable upgrade over Bohm on both offense and defense, and Citizens Bank Park would serve him nearly as well as Fenway does as a right-handed pull hitter’s paradise. There’s also some front-office history at play—when Dave Dombrowski, now the Phillies’ president of baseball operations, ran Boston, the Red Sox gave out their last massive contract before Bregman’s \$120 million deal.
One wrinkle is Kyle Schwarber’s future. Would the Phillies be able to afford Bregman while also keeping their popular slugger, or might it come down to an either-or decision?