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Phillies Have Uncertainty at Some Infield Positions This Offseason

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The Philadelphia Phillies infield has some uncertainty at a few positions heading into the offseason. The starting infield of Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm, and Trea Turner may remain the same. Currently, Bohm is seen as a potential trade candidate this offseason. Stott could also be traded this offseason, but that remains less likely. While trading Bohm and/or Stott may be hard, some changes are necessary this offseason. Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski indicated to reporters during the end-of-season press conference the infield will remain the same according to MLB.com reporter Todd Zolecki. There are two infield positions where the Phillies have the roster flexibility to make changes this offseason.

Phillies Face Uncertainty at Some Infield Positions This Offseason

Catcher

J.T. Realmuto will be back as the starting catcher unless a drastic move is made. The veteran is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2025 season. A short-term extension for Realmuto this offseason is a possibility. One offseason priority for Philadelphia is working on catching depth behind him. Rafael Marchán is out of minor league options. Meanwhile, Garrett Stubbs is expected to be non-tendered, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Stubbs has one minor league option remaining. Gelb mentioned that Dombrowski said the Phillies plan to reduce the workload for Realmuto in 2025. 

Marchán should be the Phillies’ backup catcher in 2025. While Realmuto was out with an injury Marchán almost took the backup catcher job away from Stubbs. Marchán had a .294/.345/.549 line with three home runs and six RBI in 17 major league games in 2024. He also had a 146 wRC+ and a .300 BABIP in the majors. Stubbs had a .207/.296/.262 line with one home run and 11 RBI in 56 games, along with a 63 wRC+ and a .289 BABIP. Stubbs should be kept in 2025 for depth reasons. 

First Base

Harper had a .285/.373/.525 line with 30 home runs and 87 RBI in 145 games this season, as well as a 145 wRC+ and a .331 BABIP. He will be the Phillies starting first baseman well into the future. The 145 games Harper played were his most in a season since his first year with the Phillies in 2019. That season, he played in 157 games. Harper made the All-Star team as a member of the Phillies for the first time this season. Heading into 2025 and beyond, the 32-year-old will remain the main star on the Phillies roster. The Phillies have no infield uncertainty at first base.

In his first full season playing first base, Harper is an NL Gold Glove finalist. He recorded five Defensive Runs Saved and seven Outs Above Average to go along with a five Fielding Run Value at first base. Moreover, he has better career totals in each of those categories at first base than at the other individual positions he played. Harper has quickly become a very good defensive first baseman after playing in the outfield for so long. The move to first base has worked out well so far, and he will likely improve as he continues to play there.

Second Base

Stott is in an interesting position. Of the starting position players who could get moved, he is one of the easiest to trade from a roster setup standpoint. Stott is heading into his age 27 season, and he is under team control through the 2027 season. Across the board, he regressed in 2024, carrying a .245/.315/.356 line with 11 home runs and 57 RBI in 148 games. Stott also had a 88 wRC+ and a .275 BABIP this season. All of those numbers were worse in 2024 than in 2023. Stott did increase his Defensive Runs Saved total at second base. However, he had fewer Outs Above Average and a worse Fielding Run Value. Still, his defense was good enough to make him a Gold Glove finalist.

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There are no obvious replacements available in free agency. However, there are some players potentially available through trade that would upgrade second base. Cincinnati Reds infielder Jonathan India would be a good addition. In 2024, India ranked in the 98th percentile in chase rate per Baseball Savant, while Stott ranked in the 50th percentile. India would help the Phillies improve their chase rate. This has been a key contributor to the postseason struggles at the plate for the Phillies. India is heading into his age 28 season and is under team control through 2026.

Third Base

Third base is one infield position that carries uncertainty this offseason for the Phillies. Bohm is another potential trade candidate. Signing current Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency would be a good move. This is the easiest way to move on from Bohm while improving the team. Bohm is 28 and under team control through the 2026 season. Bregman is by far the best third baseman available in free agency. Trading Bohm for prospects without signing Bregman defeats the purpose of trading him. Dombrowski cannot be making these types of moves this offseason. Upgrading with proven stars like Bregman is necessary.

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Bohm did have a breakout season in 2024, In 140 games, he had a .280/.332/.448 line with 15 home runs and 97 RBI, along with a 115 wRC+ and a .305 BABIP. Bohm also improved his defensive numbers at third base. However, he regressed during the second half of the season, and was also benched during Game 2 of the NLDS. Edmundo Sosa got the start at third base in that game. Bohm pushes himself more than every other player on the team. It seems to get to him and affect his performance at times. A change of scenery may be helpful for him.

Shortstop

While a position change for Turner will happen during his contract, it will not be in 2025. Dombrowski ruled this out during his press conference, according to Zolecki. Turner has been the worst defensive shortstop in baseball since joining the Phillies. In that span, Turner has -26 Defensive Runs Saved and -8 Outs Above Average with a -5 Fielding Run Value. Turner is the lone qualified shortstop with a double-digit negative Defensive Runs Saved total in that span. Keeping Turner at shortstop through the entirety of his contract, which runs through the 2033 season, is not sustainable.

Aidan Miller is the Phillies’ long-term answer at shortstop. When Miller is ready for the majors, Turner should be moved to another position, with second base being the most realistic alternative. However, some have suggested moving him to left field. MLB Pipeline projects Miller will be major league-ready in 2027. He had a .261/.366/.446 line with 11 home runs and 60 RBI in the minor leagues this season, also stealing 23 bases. Miller or Starlyn Caba will be the Phillies’ shortstop in the long term.

 

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The post Phillies Have Uncertainty at Some Infield Positions This Offseason appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.