Peter Chawaga
The Philadelphia Phillies are off to a strong start in 2025, tied for first place in the division with the New York Mets.
But if the team hopes to avoid another quick postseason exit, like the one they suffered at the hands of the Mets in 2024, they might have to address a mounting issue in the infield.
Rob Thomson on the Phillies’ loss in extras
The team has seen a postseason slump from reigning All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm continue into the 2025 season, as he has slashed just .158/.172/.175 in his first 57 at-bats. Bohm’s issues at the plate last season, along with some evident frustration on his part, led to a postseason benching and trade rumors over the winter.
Though it’s early, the start of the season is not going as the Phillies might have hoped, as “it was supposed to be a rebirth after being benched in the postseason and dangled in trade talks,” per The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.
Amid his early season issues, Bohm has been declining interviews. But after Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, he broke his silence to air some frustrations.
“I feel like everything is very, very overanalyzed that I do on the baseball field, from the moment I step on it to the moment I step off it,” Bohm told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Everywhere I turn it’s, ‘Look at your expected numbers. Look at this. Pick your head up. It’s going to be OK.’”
Bohm’s persistent slump and his mounting frustration with the attention it’s drawing seem to be a poor combination for a long-term future with the Phillies.
He’s earning $7.7 million this season with another year of arbitration eligibility in 2026, so he could still earn a significant trade return if another team believes a change of scenery could help him return to his All-Star form. The Phillies don’t have a clear replacement at third base, and the team would be hesitant to deal Bohm away for a minor return.
But if he’s unable to turn things around by the midseason trade deadline, both sides might prefer to move on.
