DALLAS -- Alec Bohm stood in the visitors' clubhouse at Citi Field in October, the weight of a postseason collapse hanging over him. But even in that somber moment, the 28-year-old third baseman was resolute about one thing: his future with the Phillies.
“I know where I’ll be next year,” Bohm said, almost defiantly.
But baseball is a funny game.
The 28-year-old Bohm, once considered an integral part of the team’s core, has found himself at the center of trade rumors, his name buzzing around at this week’s winter meetings in Dallas.
The whispers have prompted Phillies manager Rob Thomson to reach out directly to Bohm.
“I just wanted to let him know we’re not shopping him,” Thomson said Tuesday. “But because he’s a good player, there’s a lot of interest in him from other teams. Obviously, you have to do your homework, talk to people, and listen.”
Thomson and Bohm have exchanged texts over the offseason, and this week, they had a more personal conversation over the phone. Thomson’s message was clear: the third baseman is part of the team’s plans — for now.
The Mariners have reportedly been involved in trade talks with the Phillies, with The Seattle Times reporting that Philadelphia asked for top-tier starting pitchers like Logan Gilbert or George Kirby. For context, Gilbert and Kirby are two of the American League’s brightest young arms, both currently ranked among the league’s top 10 starters. That’s how much the Phillies value Bohm.
This type of attention only adds fuel to the fire. Earlier in the offseason, MLB.com reported that the Kansas City Royals had inquired about Bohm. But that inquiry went nowhere when the Royals instead made a trade for Jonathan India.
Thomson, mindful of the human element here, has been in regular communication with his third baseman. The pair have exchanged texts, and on Monday, Thomson called Bohm to ease his mind.
“He's in Houston right now, working out at a place he goes to every year. He’s been there for about a month, getting himself in shape. He's hitting and lifting. He’ll head to Clearwater for Christmas before going back to Houston, then back to Florida for Spring Training,” Thomson explained.
The interest is clear, but so is the Phillies' reluctance to part with Bohm unless the deal truly enhances their chances of contending. After all, Bohm has been nothing short of consistent at the plate. He’s driven in 97 runs in each of the last two seasons, and his bat with runners in scoring position has been one of the club’s best since his arrival in 2020. Letting go of a player like that would have to be more than just a trade—it would have to be a move that fundamentally improves the team.
That said, the rumors persist. Bohm, in his first experience dealing with such offseason speculation, finds himself in unfamiliar territory. And Thomson knows this is something that can weigh on a player.
“I think this is probably the first time he’s gone through something like this,” Thomson said. “It's part of the business that you've got to get through. Because it's the first time, I thought it was important to reach out."
Compounding matters are the questions about Bohm's maturity and how he handled his benching in Game 2 of the NLDS.
"I don't know where that comes from, but he is an emotional guy," Thomson said. "He cares a great deal. So he shows his emotion. Believe me, he's not the only one on the club that shows their emotion and slams a helmet or a bat every once in a while. But that just shows me he cares."
Bohm may not be going anywhere for now, but with the trade rumors still swirling, his winter might just be more uncertain than he’d imagined.
