The first domino of the offseason fell Tuesday night as left-hander Blake Snell inked a five-year, $182 million deal with the Dodgers, a move that was both expected and eye-popping. With deferred money reportedly in the $60 million range, Snell’s signing signals the start of what promises to be a fascinating winter.
For the Phillies, though, Snell was never a priority. Instead, their focus has shifted toward the most electrifying free agent in years: Juan Soto.
Soto has already drawn interest from the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Blue Jays—teams with deep pockets and even deeper desperation. For the Phillies, their interest is clear, but they recognize they aren’t the frontrunners. With a potential $650 million price tag looming, the competition could be fierce.
The stakes are high for Soto’s suitors. The Yankees, after watching Soto transform their lineup last season, are determined to avoid the embarrassment of losing him to the Mets. Meanwhile, the Mets, with Steve Cohen at the helm, have shown no hesitation in outspending everyone. That leaves teams like the Phillies waiting to see how the market unfolds.
This dynamic creates a holding pattern, and for now, the Phillies are navigating the offseason in other ways—exploring trades and weighing the futures of key players like Alec Bohm.
Alec Bohm: The Trade Chip
It didn’t take long after the Phillies’ NLDS exit for Bohm’s name to surface in trade discussions. His late-season struggles—culminating in a benching during Game 2 of the NLDS—have raised questions about his long-term fit.
At 28, Bohm has two more years of arbitration remaining and a solid track record, hitting .280 with 44 doubles, 15 home runs, and 97 RBIs last season. He even started at third base in the 2024 All-Star Game. Yet, his trade value may never be higher, and the Phillies appear willing to explore all options.
That willingness underscores a broader offseason theme for the Phillies: adaptability. With a thin free-agent market for outfielders beyond Soto, the Phillies are actively considering trades to address multiple needs.
One such possibility, according to reports, is a deal involving Bohm and top outfield prospect Justin Crawford for White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet. It’s the kind of bold move that could reshape the roster while hedging against future uncertainty.
Crochet, 25, broke out last season with 209 strikeouts in 146 innings and a 3.58 ERA. While still developing consistency, his potential as a top-tier starter is undeniable. Adding him would bolster the Phillies’ rotation while allowing them to pivot and explore trading Ranger Suárez, another name generating buzz this offseason.
If Crochet arrives, the Phillies would be addressing their future rotation needs while positioning themselves to move Suárez, whose value might be limited by his expiring contract. It’s the kind of calculated gamble that reflects an aggressive approach to improvement—one that could be a hallmark of this offseason.
The Winter Meetings, set for Dec. 9-12 in Dallas, will be pivotal. But with Soto’s decision likely to dictate the market, there’s a chance many teams—including the Phillies—will hold back until the superstar finds a home.
Agents know this too, which could delay trades or secondary signings. The Phillies, however, have proven adept at navigating such scenarios in recent years. Whether they make a splashy move or opt for a series of under-the-radar deals, their approach remains rooted in creativity and flexibility.
