The Philadelphia Phillies are exploring significant changes to their roster as they pursue free-agent infielder Bo Bichette, amidst frustrations in their ongoing negotiations to retain catcher J.T. Realmuto. A high-ranking executive within the organization revealed that the Phillies have scheduled a virtual meeting with Bichette for January 12, as part of their efforts to potentially add the talented player.
Despite the excitement surrounding Bichette, two Phillies executives have tempered expectations, highlighting the complexities involved in making this deal happen. Acquiring Bichette would require the team to end talks with Realmuto, trade third baseman Alec Bohm, who has a salary of $10.2 million, and find a way to offload right fielder Nick Castellanos, whose $20 million salary also presents challenges. Additional roster moves could also be necessary to make space for Bichette.
The interest in Bichette surged following the recent hiring of Don Mattingly as the Phillies’ bench coach. Mattingly, who previously held the same position with the Toronto Blue Jays, developed a strong rapport with Bichette during their time together. At 27 years old, Bichette has primarily played shortstop but has expressed willingness to transition to second or third base, further enhancing his appeal to the Phillies.
However, the market for Bichette is competitive, with several other clubs eyeing him for their rosters. He is targeting a long-term deal valued at around $250 million. The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs are among the teams interested, while the Los Angeles Dodgers are also poised to make a play if Bichette considers a short-term arrangement. Additionally, a return to the Blue Jays remains a possibility for the infielder, who has spent his entire career in Toronto.
With a projected luxury payroll nearing $300 million, the Phillies acknowledge that acquiring Bichette would necessitate salary reductions. Furthermore, they face the critical task of finding a catcher capable of filling the substantial void left by Realmuto, a cornerstone of their playoff successes, who is now 35 years old and a veteran of three All-Star games and two Gold Glove awards.
As the Phillies embark on this ambitious pursuit, the coming days will reveal just how serious they are in bringing Bichette aboard and potentially reshaping their roster in a bid for continued success.