May 25, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Alec Bohm (28) celebrates after a home run with manager Rob Thomson (59) against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Brett Davis
At one point this offseason, it appeared like Alec Bohm may have played in his final game as a member of the Phillies. But trade rumors that swirled in November and December died down, and it's now clear that the 28-year-old is going to be the Opening Day third baseman for the Phillies.
In an appearance on "The Phillies Show," manager Rob Thomson explained to Ruben Amaro Jr., Jim Salisbury and Todd Zolecki where things stand with Bohm as Spring Training nears.
"Yeah, when all the rumors started, I called Alec ... because this is really the first time he's gone through this ... I told him 'Look, we're not looking to move you. The only reason your name keeps coming up is because you're a really good player and other teams have interest. So if people are talking about trades, we have to listen and figure out what we need to do.'"
To be clear, the Phillies do not have to listen to trade inquires on a player. It made sense to hear what was out there for Bohm, who is two years away from free agency and has had a career filled with trials and tribulations to this point. Thomson's explanation to Bohm is the best answer that a manager could give to a player after it's clear that the team considered whether or not he should be part of their future. But if opposing teams called on Bryce Harper or Zack Wheeler, the Phillies wouldn't listen. That they did on Bohm does indicate some level of uncertainty about whether he's in the long-term plans of the organization.
Bohm was the starting third baseman for the NL All-Star team a year ago, hitting .295 with an .830 OPS in the first half of the season. However, after the Midsummer Classic, he hit .251 with a .681 OPS. He did spend some time on the injured list in September with a left hand strain, but later downplayed the effect that had on his second-half struggles.
Alec Bohm on if he’s at a crossroads: “No, I know where I’ll be next year.” @OnPattison @PhilliesNation pic.twitter.com/MzCAMAf9a8
It certainly raised some eyebrows when Bohm was essentially a healthy scratch in Game 2 of the NLDS against the New York Mets, with Thomson instead opting for the energy of Edmundo Sosa at the hot corner over Bohm to begin the game. (Bohm would later enter the game as a pinch-hitter for Sosa).
Thomson, though, says he remains excited about Bohm's talent. He did, however, point to a familiar theme on where Bohm could still improve at.
"This guy's a really good player, he really is. He gets a little bit emotional at times, and he's gotta be able to reign that in at times so that he can stay focused," Thomson acknowledged.
"Because if he does that, I think this guy's got a chance to be a perennial All-Star. Because he can really hit, and he's the type of guy we're looking for — a guy that is gonna be able to use the field and hit right-handers ... hit left-handers ... hit velocity. And his defense has come so far. It's incredible the amount of development he's made at the Major League level, especially defensively."
Dave Dombrowski on Alec Bohm: ‘I Think He’s Going To Come Out and Have a Tremendous Season’ @OnPattison https://t.co/TxRSICRddw
Amaro then asked Thomson how he can discuss dealing with dealing with his emotions with Bohm.
"Yeah, I think it's trying to stay positive with him," Thomson said. "...Everybody gets a little bit emotional. But it's how you handle it ... how you show it ... how you react from it. Just make sure that he stays focused, because if he stays focused, you're gonna be a great player. You're gonna be a perennial All-Star. You're gonna hit .320 with 30 [home runs] and 120 [RBIs] because you're hitting right in the middle of our lineup. You're gonna do that every year.
"But, don't give at-bats away," Thomson continued. "Don't give defensive plays away. And that's for everybody, not just for Alec. I mean, we've got a lot of guys that get emotional. But how do you react from that? What's the next pitch look like? What does the next play look like? And you can't be thinking about what's happened, it's gone. You gotta be thinking about what's going on right now and keep moving forward."
Throughout Spring Training, it's likely that Bohm will say and do all the right things. The real test will come if he gets off to a slow start in his sixth big-league season and starts to hear some boos from a fanbase that thought at one point this offseason he might not be back in 2025. Does he just power through that, or will things snowball?
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