The Philadelphia Phillies have been active on the free agent market, reuniting with Kyle Schwarber and adding Adolis Garcia to bolster the lineup. Even with those moves completed, the front office still has important work to do. At the top of the remaining wish list is catcher JT Realmuto, whose future continues to draw attention across the league. Another intriguing possibility is Alex Bregman, a player who would represent a major upgrade and potentially reshape the roster.
Any pursuit of Bregman would almost certainly be tied to decisions involving Alec Bohm. MLB insider Jon Morosi suggested that the Phillies would only consider moving Bohm if there were a clear and significant improvement available at third base or elsewhere on the infield.
“If the Phillies were to move Bohm, in my judgment, it would have to be because they think there’s a chance of getting a Bregman or they’re one of the teams potentially that could look at a Bo Bichette at a spot that’s not shortstop,” Morosi said. “There’s different ways they could augment their club, but you would have to have a clear upgrade on Bohm if you’re gonna go ahead and make that trade.”
Bregman’s name resurfaced prominently once it became clear he would test the open market again. His opt out decision was expected across baseball circles, especially given the structure of his deal with Boston.
“Alex Bregman plans to opt out of his contract with the Boston Red Sox, a source told ESPN on Tuesday night, confirming a New York Post report. The move was expected and doesn’t rule out the veteran third baseman returning to Boston, but for now, he will be part of the free agent class for a second straight offseason,” ESPN reported.
While several teams are expected to show interest, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand believes Philadelphia is in a strong position to make a serious push for the veteran infielder. Bregman’s recent contract history and performance still make him one of the most appealing options available.
“After waiting out the winter for the right deal, Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million pact with the Red Sox that included $60 million in deferrals and opt-outs after 2025 and ’26. Injuries limited Bregman to only 114 games this season, but he performed well when he was available, posting an .822 OPS with 18 homers. Bregman opted out of his contract, giving free agency a try for the second consecutive season,” Feinsand wrote.
Adding a player of Bregman’s pedigree would likely force the Phillies to resolve Bohm’s role, but the payoff could be substantial. A proven postseason performer with two World Series titles already on his resume, Bregman could provide leadership, consistency, and power. With Philadelphia once again projected as a favorite in the NL East, a move of this magnitude could significantly boost their chances of making another deep October run.