KANSAS CITY. MO - AUGUST 24: Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Alec Bohm (28) as seen in the dugout during a MLB game between the Kansas City Royals and the Philadelphia Phillies, on August 24, 2024, at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Philadelphia Phillies opted to reunite with long-time stars Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto for the next few years, but this season could be the last for another regular position player.
In his final season of arbitration eligibility, third baseman Alec Bohm has gotten off to a slow start at the plate and after consistent trade rumors, it’s getting hard to imagine that the Phillies will sign him to a long-term contract moving forward.
Bohm was slashing just .153/.227/.220 going into Wednesday and it seems like the team could look to replace him in the lineup well before his contract is up.
“How long can the Phillies keep going with Bohm before they seek at least an internal replacement?” Scott Lauber asked for The Philadelphia Inquirer. “(Edmuno) Sosa is always a tantalizing alternative.”
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Sosa filled in at third base on Tuesday, hitting a home run in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs and emphasizing his case as an everyday upgrade over Bohm. But manager Rob Thomson put Bohm in as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning of that game and he promptly struck out with the bases loaded.
Meanwhile, Bohm’s ongoing legal battle with his parents appeared to grow more combative this week.
But when asked about his commitment to Bohm amid the plate struggles and off-field controversy, Thomson praised the infielder for demonstrating better body language amid his issues than he has in the past.
“When he does struggle, you don’t see the same frustration you saw in the past, so that’s good,” Thomson said after Tuesday’s game, per Lauber. “And my door is always open if he ever wants to talk about anything. And he hasn’t. He seems to be in a really good space right now.”
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In 2024, Bohm was benched during the National League Division Series against the New York Mets, and it appeared that his visible frustration during the playoffs was a core reason.
“Poor body language was likely another factor in Bohm’s playoff benching,” Corey Seidman noted for NBC Sports Philadelphia. “He's tended to show emotion when struggling over the years and the Phillies don't want their opponent to see. They don't mind the passion, they'd just rather he show it off-camera.”
Now Bohm is struggling at the plate once again, but the manager appreciates how he is handling it. Thomson sent a three-word message on the player’s demeanor as the legal proceedings with his family move forward and his hitting slump deepens.
“He’s growing up,” Thomson said on Tuesday, according to Lauber.
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