Are the Phillies Favorites to Land Star Infielder Bo Bichette? The Move Would Force the Team to Get Younger

According to multiple reports, the Phillies are expected to meet with star infielder Bo Bichette in the coming days.

Just last week many speculated, including us, that Don Mattingly’s decision to join the Phillies’ bench staff could open the door to Bichette. Mattingly’s long-standing relationship with Bichette fueled early buzz that the move might help lure the All-Star infielder to South Philly. Now, with momentum building, that possibility is starting to feel very real.

The idea of the Phillies committing another $250+ million to a marquee infielder has the Delaware Valley buzzing- and ready to Prepare the Floats! Phillies beat writer Matt Gelb of The Athletic added fuel to the fire this week, reporting that “circumstances this offseason have changed,” a shift that appears to have directly impacted Philadelphia’s level of interest in Bichette.

Bichette, a two-time All-Star, is a career .294 hitter across seven MLB seasons. His 2025 campaign proved pivotal in Toronto’s AL Championship run, as he finished with 181 hits, 18 home runs, and a .311 batting average.

Whether those changing circumstances lead to a franchise-altering signing remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Phillies appear to be the favorite to land Bichette.

Photo Credit: Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire

If Bo Bichette were to sign with the Phillies, it would instantly create the best infield in baseball- and certainly the most talented the organization has assembled since the iconic core of Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins.

To make a move of that magnitude possible, the Phillies are actively exploring trade scenarios, and all indications point toward third baseman Alec Bohm being the odd man out.

Signing a star of Bichette’s caliber is expected to cost roughly $25 million per year, a figure that all but requires the Phillies to move Bohm for salary relief. That domino would reshape the infield, likely sliding Bryson Stott to third base and opening the door for top prospect Aidan Miller to factor into the long-term plan sooner rather than later.

I would absolutely love a starting infield of Bryce Harper, Bo Bichette, Trea Turner, and a rotating mix of Bryson Stott, Edmundo Sosa, or even Aidan Miller at third base. There’s no question that if the Phillies land Bichette, it would force their hand toward getting younger, and frankly, that's exactly what this roster needed heading into the offseason.

With Aidan Miller waiting in the pipeline, and both Stott and Sosa already capable of absorbing a Bohm trade, the path to moving on from Alec Bohm becomes much clearer. From a roster-construction standpoint, the Phillies could lose Bohm and still come out stronger, and more athletic defensively.

A Bichette signing would also signal broader roster consequences. Most notably, it would likely mark the end of J.T. Realmuto’s tenure in Philadelphia, creating a significant void behind the plate and forcing the Phils to address catcher.

There’s no denying the Phillies would miss J.T. Realmuto’s leadership, durability, and ability to call a game, but at some point the organization has to confront age and payroll reality. Adding Realmuto back at another $15 million per year on top of a Bichette deal is next to impossible.

Internally, Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs could shoulder some of that workload, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Phillies looked to address catcher in a Bohm deal. Given that Dombrowski has a recent history of working with Minnesota, it’s at least worth wondering whether the Twins could emerge as a logical trade partner. Sending Alec Bohm to Minnesota checks a lot of boxes as a potential landing spot, particularly given the Twins’ need for a third baseman.

In that scenario, and it’s very much hypothetical at this stage, a name like catcher Ryan Jeffers naturally comes to mind as part of a possible return. Jeffers is younger, they money makes sense, and he is likely a better solution behind the plate than Marchán.

If Bichette arrives, Bohm’s exit likely follows, and the Phillies would be wise to use that opportunity to reshape the roster with more youth and a proven presence behind the plate in return. Prepare the Floats!