This offseason could see a potential trade between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros.
As the hot stove season gains momentum, numerous hypothetical trades are circulating that could prove advantageous for both teams. One such scenario, brought to light by Bob Nightengale in his USA Today column, suggests a deal where the Phillies would send third baseman Alec Bohm to the Astros, likely in return for a late-inning reliever.
“The Phillies understand that they can’t replicate the same offense in 2025,” Nightengale stated. “While their lineup has the potential to be one of the most dynamic in baseball, they’ve discovered during the postseason that opposing pitchers can exploit it fairly easily. Changes are essential, and Bohm holds more trade value than Nick Castellanos and Brandon Marsh. If the Astros lose Alex Bregman to free agency, Phillies president Dave Dombrowski would probably act quickly to offer Bohm in exchange for Astros reliever Ryan Pressly, who is known to be on the trading block.”
Enhancing their bullpen is a top priority for the Phillies, and acquiring a pitcher like Pressly would certainly bolster their relief efforts. However, the suggested trade depends on the Astros losing Bregman, which is a situation they would prefer to avoid given his status as one of the best third basemen in baseball. If Bregman were to depart, could the Astros look to acquire Bohm? This exchange could provide advantages for both sides.
Could trading for Alec Bohm benefit the Astros in the long term? Bohm has two years of club control left before he hits free agency, and the former first-round pick is beginning to find his rhythm in Philadelphia. Last season, he achieved a career-high 3.0 WAR, drove in 97 runs for the second consecutive year, and was a significant contributor to the Phillies’ lineup. While the team holds him in high regard, Bohm could become a trade target if dealing him helps meet more pressing needs.
On the flip side, Pressly would add a powerful arm to the Phillies’ bullpen and could potentially step in as their next closer. The Phillies have faced bullpen challenges in recent years, making improvements in this area vital for their ambitions to compete for another World Series title. The Astros might contemplate trading Pressly, especially since their current closer, Josh Hader, signed a lucrative free-agent contract with Houston last offseason.
However, much depends on Bregman’s future with the Astros. If he prices himself out of a new contract—a likely scenario given the high demand for third basemen—he might land a long-term deal elsewhere. Will the former LSU standout continue to hold down third base for the Astros, or could a trade for someone like Bohm change their infield structure?
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