Wendell Cruz
NEW YORK — There were times during the NLDS against the New York Mets where it felt like you were watching Alec Bohm's final games as a member of the Phillies.
A few months after being an All-Star, Bohm was taken out of the Game 2 starting lineup in favor of Edmundo Sosa as Rob Thomson searched for a spark.
Though he drove in the lone run for the Phillies in Game 4 on a grounder to third base, Bohm posted just one hit in 13 at-bats in the series.
He had multiple defensive misplays in Game 4 that Ranger Suárez was able to dance around early on, though they could have very easily come back to bite the Phillies.
But for all that went wrong in the NLDS for Bohm, the third baseman doesn't believe he's at a crossroads with the Phillies.
"No," Bohm responded when asked postgame. "I know where I'll be next year."
Alec Bohm on if he’s at a crossroads: “No, I know where I’ll be next year.” @OnPattison @PhilliesNation pic.twitter.com/MzCAMAf9a8
Bohm has two remaining years of arbitration eligibility before free agency, and the Phillies will certainly tender him a contract this offseason. He finished each of the last two seasons with 97 RBIs. He doubled 44 times this year. His defensive metrics at third base have improved dramatically.
But after two deep playoff runs in 2022 and 2023, the Phillies were knocked out in four games by the Mets this year. They have a core of players in their early 30s, and it's safe to say that Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber aren't going anywhere. There's only so many spots on the diamond the Phillies could realistically try to change this offseason to shake things up.
Exactly what Bohm's value would be on the trade market is unclear. Bohm was a different player in the second half of the season than the first, although he didn't believe a left hand strain that forced him to spend some time on the injured list in September was the reason why. Still, the splits before and after he was the starting third baseman for the NL All-Star team are stark.
First Half: .295 with 11 home runs, 33 doubles, 70 RBIs and an .830 OPS over 94 games
Second Half: .251 with four home runs, 11 doubles, 27 RBIs and a .631 OPS over 49 games
Also unclear is who would play third base for the Phillies in 2025 if not Bohm. Top prospect Aidan Miller likely won't be in play until 2026. The Phillies would be hard-pressed to replace Bohm with a player who drives in runs at the clip that he does.
What is clear is that it's a bad look for Bohm — who just completed his fifth MLB season — to continue to be so emotional on the field. It's one thing when you are a rookie. Repeatedly slamming your helmet and outwardly showing frustration, often during relatively insignificant points of the season, isn't something you expect from a 28-year-old veteran.
So what happens next remains to be seen. Exactly how good Bohm is can be debated, but he's been a very good run producer for the Phillies the last couple of seasons. But while he'll definitely be someone's Opening Day third baseman in 2025, it doesn't feel like a lock that it will be for the Phillies. Not after how this postseason ended.
