The Phillies are heading to the Winter Meetings in Dallas, and if you’re hoping for a quiet few days, well, you’re not paying attention. This is the team that rarely sits still, especially when the stakes are high. With questions swirling around their roster, potential trades, and free-agent pursuits, the Phillies are shaping up to be one of the most intriguing teams in baseball this offseason.
Let’s start with the hot stove buzz. No, Juan Soto probably won’t be the next superstar to stroll into Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies have stepped back from that derby. But two names have emerged as potential game-changers for Philadelphia this week: Alex Bregman and Garrett Crochet.
Bregman? Now that’s a name worth underlining. Rival evaluators are already talking about it. One told ESPN’s Buster Olney that the Phillies landing Bregman “just makes too much sense.” And you know what? He’s not wrong. Bregman is a postseason-tested machine, a two-time All-Star with two shiny World Series rings. Oh, and by the way, he’s still just 30 years old.
Here’s where it gets interesting: Alec Bohm—yes, the same Bohm who drove in 97 runs in back-to-back seasons—is reportedly on the trade block. That’s significant. Bohm is two years younger than Bregman, cheaper, and still has two arbitration years ahead of him. But Bregman’s résumé and track record? Those scream “win-now mode.” The catch, of course, is the price tag. Bregman’s expected to command something in the range of $26-$32 million annually over 5-7 years. That’s not a small number, but imagine that swing in the middle of the Phillies' lineup at Citizens Bank Park.
And then there’s Garrett Crochet. If the Phillies want to keep the youth movement alive on the mound, this is a name to watch. The 25-year-old southpaw is as affordable as it gets—$2.9 million in 2025 with two arbitration years ahead. He’s also one of those sneaky-good arms who could thrive in a rotation already brimming with talent like Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez, and Ranger Suárez. The idea of adding Crochet feels like a long-term move with short-term benefits, a classic Dave Dombrowski special.
Now, about Bohm. The Phillies reportedly have suitors lining up, with the Mariners and Royals among them. Bohm’s age, production, and remaining control make him a fascinating trade chip. But is moving on from Bohm the right call? The answer probably depends on whether a guy like Bregman—or someone equally impactful—can be pried loose.
While we’re talking upgrades, don’t forget about the bullpen. Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez are both free agents, leaving a couple of late-inning holes to fill. Hoffman, in particular, has been excellent the past two seasons, and some teams are even talking about converting him into a starter. That’s the kind of chatter that could make him a pricey luxury the Phillies can’t afford.
And what about the lineup? Kyle Schwarber leading off always feels like a debate waiting to happen. The Phillies could keep the status quo or look for external help—think Brendan Donovan or Lars Nootbaar—if the right trade opportunity arises.
So here we are, just days away from the Winter Meetings, and the Phillies have more questions than answers. Will they swing big for Bregman? Make a savvy play for Crochet? Deal Bohm for another difference-maker? Whatever happens, it’s bound to be fascinating, unpredictable, and very, very Phillies.
