It seems that Alec Bohm’s time with the Philadelphia Phillies may be coming to an end. The 28-year-old third baseman enjoyed his best season in 2024, posting 97 RBIs and an OPS of .779, but reports suggest the Phillies are likely to move on from him and find a new third baseman.
While there are several third baseman available on the MLB free-agent market, the top-tier options will demand hefty contracts. Philadelphia may pursue one of these high-profile players, but for now, there’s talk of the Phillies targeting St. Louis Cardinals’ third baseman Nolan Arenado. According to Will Leitch of MLB.com, “He could be an ideal fit with the Phillies, particularly if, as rumored, they’re willing to trade Alec Bohm. Arenado is not even that expensive, with three years and $74 million remaining on his contract (not counting the portion the Rockies are paying).”
Arenado could indeed be a good fit in Philadelphia—he’s known as a strong clubhouse presence and has had one of the most impressive careers among active third basemen. However, after two subpar seasons, it seems Arenado’s best years may be behind him, and the Phillies might be better off looking elsewhere for a third baseman.
Nolan Arenado’s career may be on the decline
Arenado’s time with the Cardinals has been a bit of a mixed bag. His first season in 2021 was strong, with a 4.0 WAR, 30 home runs, an OPS over .800, and an All-Star selection. He followed it up with a career-best 2022, batting .293 with an OPS of .893, a 7.7 WAR (best in the NL), an OPS+ of 151, and a third-place finish in the MVP voting. At that point, his large contract looked like a smart move for the Cardinals.
But since then, Arenado’s performance has slipped. While his batting average has remained steady the past two years, his power has diminished significantly, and his overall value has decreased. He hit only 16 home runs in 2024, his lowest total for a full season since 2014.
A single down year for a player in their early 30s isn’t necessarily cause for concern, but two consecutive subpar seasons heading into his age-34 campaign raises red flags. The Phillies shouldn’t gamble on Arenado as a replacement for Alec Bohm. There’s little reason to bet on a 34-year-old turning things around after two underwhelming seasons.
While Arenado could certainly have a bounce-back year—anything is possible in baseball—it’s not a risk the Phillies should take. There are more reliable options available, even if they come with longer-term contracts.