The Philadelphia Phillies appear to be regaining momentum after a shaky stretch earlier in the season. Since Hall of Famer Don Mattingly stepped in as interim manager, the club has won eight of its last 10 games, sparking renewed optimism around a team that entered the year with serious postseason expectations. Much of the turnaround has been fueled by improved performances from the starting rotation, with pitchers Christopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler, and Jesús Luzardo beginning to settle into consistent form. At the same time, offensive leaders Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber have started delivering the power production the Phillies desperately needed.
Even with the recent surge, however, not every issue within the roster has been resolved. Several players continue to struggle badly, and speculation is growing that Philadelphia could make significant roster changes before the trade deadline in an effort to strengthen its playoff push. One player increasingly being mentioned in trade discussions is third baseman Alec Bohm, whose difficult start to the season has made him a major talking point around the organization.
In a recent analysis, Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller identified Bohm as the Phillies’ most likely trade candidate. Miller noted that while Philadelphia’s improved play has cooled speculation about larger moves involving star players such as Zack Wheeler, the team may still consider parting ways with Bohm regardless of whether they ultimately become buyers or sellers at the deadline. According to Miller, Bohm fits the mold of a player who may simply need a “change of scenery” to revive his career trajectory.
The concern surrounding Bohm stems from his alarming offensive decline in what is shaping up to be a crucial contract year. Through 35 games, the former All-Star is batting just .159 with a very poor .433 OPS. His overall value metrics have also cratered, with his bWAR already sitting at -0.9 — a troubling figure this early in the season. Even more concerning is the lack of power production, as Bohm has not hit a home run since Opening Day.
For a player entering free agency soon, the timing could hardly be worse. Bohm had previously established himself as a dependable contributor in Philadelphia’s lineup and earned an All-Star nod in 2024. Over the past few seasons, he became known as a contact-oriented hitter capable of maintaining a solid batting average. However, because much of his value depends on consistent hitting rather than elite power or defensive dominance, any drop in batting average tends to dramatically impact his overall production. That weakness has become painfully evident this season.
The Phillies also appear increasingly unlikely to commit long-term money to Bohm beyond this year, which naturally intensifies trade speculation. If the organization believes he is no longer part of its future plans, moving him before the deadline could become the most practical option, even if his trade value has diminished considerably.
The challenge, though, is determining what Philadelphia could realistically receive in return. Given Bohm’s current struggles, rival teams may be hesitant to offer anything substantial. Analysts believe the Phillies might only be able to acquire a lower-tier bullpen reliever, a depth piece, or perhaps a mid-level prospect in exchange for the struggling infielder. At this point, the organization may simply prioritize clearing a roster spot and giving Bohm an opportunity to rediscover his form elsewhere rather than holding out for a major return.
Ultimately, Bohm’s future with the Phillies may depend on whether he can reverse course quickly over the next several weeks. If his offensive numbers remain stagnant while Philadelphia continues competing for playoff positioning, pressure will likely mount on the front office to make a difficult but potentially necessary decision regarding the former All-Star.
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