Based on Hunter Mulholland’s Heavy report, updated October 14, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals could turn to a familiar name in the upcoming MLB offseason as they attempt to address one of the biggest weaknesses on their roster. Former Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Alec Bohm has emerged as a potential short-term option at third base, offering the Cardinals an experienced hitter while the organization continues developing its young prospects.
The idea is particularly interesting because St. Louis is rebuilding and does not necessarily need to commit to an expensive, long-term solution at every position. Instead, the club could pursue a player capable of stabilizing the hot corner for a season or two while giving its emerging prospects additional time to develop. However, Bohm’s declining offensive production and defensive struggles could complicate the decision.
1. Cardinals Could Explore a Short-Term Deal for Alec Bohm
Bohm, who finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2020 and earned an All-Star selection in 2024, is approaching free agency after several seasons with Philadelphia. His availability could create an opportunity for St. Louis to strengthen its infield without necessarily blocking a young player permanently.
According to Heavy’s report, Cardinals leadership has indicated that the organization is open to adding a short-term starter at third base. That approach would allow the team to improve its immediate lineup while keeping its longer-term plans flexible.
Bohm’s offensive numbers have declined since his All-Star campaign. In 2024, he hit .280 with a .332 on-base percentage and a .448 slugging percentage. His 2026 season ended with a .249 batting average, a .315 on-base percentage and a .383 slugging percentage, according to MLB.com’s season review. He also recorded 15 home runs and 88 runs batted in across 155 games.
Although those numbers fall short of the production expected from an elite offensive third baseman, Bohm could still provide useful experience and a dependable presence in the middle or lower portion of the lineup. His ability to make consistent contact and drive in runs could appeal to a Cardinals team searching for greater offensive stability.
For St. Louis, the attraction would not necessarily be acquiring a franchise cornerstone. Instead, it would be finding a capable veteran who could help bridge the gap between the current rebuilding phase and the organization’s next competitive window.
2. Nolan Gorman’s Struggles Have Created a Major Opening
One of the biggest reasons Bohm has become an intriguing possibility is the Cardinals’ inability to establish a reliable solution at third base following the departure of Nolan Arenado.
St. Louis moved Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks, leaving a significant responsibility for the remaining players to fill. Unfortunately, the team’s internal options struggled to deliver consistent production throughout the 2026 campaign.
Nolan Gorman was among the players expected to benefit from the opportunity. He demonstrated considerable power earlier in his career, hitting 27 home runs in 2023. However, he has not reached the 20-home-run mark since that season, and his batting average fell to .184 in 2026 according to Heavy’s report.
The broader third-base numbers illustrate the problem. MLB.com’s analysis placed St. Louis 27th in the majors with a collective .620 OPS from its third basemen. Gorman’s own production at the position was also disappointing, as he hit .202 with a .289 on-base percentage and a .364 slugging percentage in 225 plate appearances there.
These struggles leave Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom with an important decision: continue giving the current group opportunities or bring in an experienced player who can provide a more dependable short-term option.
Bohm could be part of that solution, particularly because his 88 RBIs in 2026 demonstrate that he can still contribute to run production despite his lower overall offensive numbers. Nevertheless, signing him would not automatically solve every problem at third base.
His defensive record is a significant concern, meaning the Cardinals would have to decide whether the potential offensive improvement outweighs the risk of adding another inconsistent defender.
3. Why Alec Bohm Could Benefit From a Change of Scenery
Bohm’s potential move to St. Louis would represent an opportunity to rebuild his reputation after a challenging season in Philadelphia.
The former first-round draft selection established himself as a regular contributor for the Phillies after making his major-league debut in 2020. He earned recognition as one of the organization’s important young hitters and eventually secured an All-Star selection in 2024.
However, his 2026 campaign began poorly. MLB.com’s season review reported that Bohm hit just .159 with a .227 on-base percentage and a .206 slugging percentage through his first 35 games. His performance improved considerably from May 9 through the remainder of the regular season, when he recorded a .274/.340/.433 batting line, with 14 home runs and 73 RBIs across 120 games.
That improvement suggests his overall season statistics do not tell the entire story. Bohm demonstrated that he could recover from a difficult opening stretch and provide more productive at-bats as the season progressed.
His postseason performance also offered encouragement. During Game 2 of Philadelphia’s National League Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves on September 30, Bohm hit a go-ahead home run in the 10th inning, helping the Phillies extend their postseason run for another game. Philadelphia ultimately lost the series in Game 3.
For the Cardinals, that late-season improvement could make Bohm worth considering if the financial terms are reasonable.
A short-term contract could give him an opportunity to regain his offensive consistency without requiring St. Louis to commit several years of payroll to a player coming off a disappointing campaign.
However, the Cardinals would need to examine whether his second-half improvement is sustainable and whether he can provide enough defensive value to justify a regular role at third base.
4. Cardinals Prospect Jesus Baez Could Determine the Length of Any Deal
The most important part of the Cardinals’ potential interest in Bohm may be the organization’s long-term plans for prospect Jesus Baez.
Baez, acquired from the New York Mets organization in the trade that sent closer Ryan Helsley away in 2025, made significant progress during the 2026 minor-league season. Heavy reported that he hit 39 home runs across two levels, finished the campaign at Double-A and batted .316 over 59 games at that level. His overall minor-league batting average was .283.
Those numbers make Baez an intriguing prospect as the Cardinals consider their future infield.
Although he has primarily been associated with shortstop, Masyn Winn already occupies that position in St. Louis. That situation could eventually encourage the organization to explore other infield positions for Baez, including third base.
The Cardinals would therefore have a reason to avoid making a major long-term commitment at the hot corner before determining whether Baez can develop into a major-league regular.
Signing Bohm to a one- or two-year agreement could provide a practical bridge. He could handle the position while Baez gains more experience in the minor leagues, allowing the prospect to advance at a pace that suits his development rather than being rushed into the majors because of a roster vacancy.
There are, however, no guarantees that Baez will be ready to take over third base in the near future. Prospects can encounter developmental setbacks, and success in the minor leagues does not automatically translate into immediate major-league production.
Bloom must therefore balance two priorities: maintaining enough quality at third base to make the major-league roster competitive while preserving opportunities for the organization’s young talent.
5. Bohm’s Defensive Weakness Could Become the Biggest Obstacle
The proposed move is not without substantial risks.
Bohm’s offensive decline is one concern, but his defensive numbers could be an even bigger obstacle for an organization that values dependable infield defense.
Heavy’s report highlighted his minus-10 Defensive Runs Saved at third base, while MLB.com’s free-agent assessment recorded minus-8 Outs Above Average at the position. These metrics use different methods to evaluate fielding performance, but both indicate that his 2026 defense was a weakness.
That creates an uncomfortable question for the Cardinals: would Bohm represent a meaningful upgrade over the players already on the roster?
His offensive production would compare favorably with the team’s disappointing collective results at third base, but a potential signing must be evaluated on both sides of the ball. If his defense remains below average, some of the benefit from his bat could be offset by additional runs allowed.
St. Louis would also need to consider whether Bohm is the best available option in free agency. Other players could offer different combinations of offensive production, defensive ability, positional flexibility and contract cost.
Consequently, the Cardinals should not pursue Bohm simply because he is an established major-league player. The contract must reflect his recent performance, and the organization would need a clear plan for maximizing his strengths while managing his defensive limitations.
6. What a Short-Term Contract Could Mean for St. Louis
A short-term agreement would make the most sense if the Cardinals view Bohm as a bridge rather than their permanent answer at third base.
Such a deal could offer several potential benefits:
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Immediate lineup experience: Bohm has played regularly at the major-league level and has a track record of driving in runs.
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Greater roster flexibility: A shorter contract would limit the risk of committing multiple years to a player whose recent numbers have declined.
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Prospect development time: Baez and other young infielders could continue progressing without being forced into major-league roles prematurely.
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A possible future trade asset: If Bohm rebounds offensively and St. Louis falls outside the playoff picture, the club could potentially explore trading him before the deadline, depending on his contract and market demand.
The financial side remains critical. MLB.com’s free-agent analysis suggested that Bohm could pursue a contract comparable in structure to the two-year, $30 million deal Josh Bell signed with Cleveland after the 2022 season. That is a comparison rather than a confirmed contract projection, and Bohm’s eventual market could produce a different result.
For a rebuilding organization, the ideal outcome would be a contract that provides meaningful short-term production without restricting future spending or blocking the next generation of infield talent.
If the asking price becomes too high, St. Louis could reasonably look elsewhere.
7. Final Verdict: Could Alec Bohm Be the Stopgap the Cardinals Need?
The possibility of bringing Bohm to St. Louis is intriguing because it addresses an immediate roster weakness without necessarily requiring a permanent commitment.
The Cardinals need greater consistency at third base, and their internal options did not establish themselves as convincing solutions in 2026. Bohm offers experience, run-producing ability and the possibility of a rebound after a difficult season with Philadelphia.
However, he is not a risk-free acquisition. His offensive numbers declined, his defense was poor, and the Cardinals must determine whether his potential contribution justifies the financial investment.
Jesus Baez’s development is another important consideration. If St. Louis believes the prospect could eventually become its long-term third baseman, a short-term veteran would make more sense than an expensive multiyear signing.
The bottom line: Bohm could be a sensible bridge for the Cardinals, but only if the price is right and the organization accepts the defensive concerns. The idea is a potential free-agent fit, not a confirmed signing or evidence that negotiations have begun.
The Cardinals’ ultimate decision will depend on whether Bloom believes a short-term veteran can stabilize the position while the organization’s young players continue developing. If those conditions align, Bohm could become an interesting candidate to help St. Louis navigate its rebuilding phase and prepare for a more competitive future.
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