Copyright Newsweek
The Philadelphia Phillies have plenty of star players, but something clearly needs to change after another disappointing postseason. The Phillies were eliminated by the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. However, the Phillies have had nothing but postseason letdowns since their 2022 run to the World Series. CBS Sports' Mike Axisa predicted a change at third base this offseason to help the team get back to the Fall Classic. Axisa predicted the Phillies would trade away Alec Bohm and swing a trade for Nolan Arenado. Arenado did not have a great season, but perhaps a change of scenery will do him some good. "The Phillies seem determined to shake up their offense this offseason but they have only so many movable parts," wrote Axisa on Wednesday. "Bryce Harper isn't going anywhere, Nick Castellanos is untradeable, and Trea Turner is not the problem. Third base is one position they could easily make a move, and I boldly predict that move involves shipping Alec Bohm elsewhere and bringing in a heavily subsidized Nolan Arenado to take over at the hot corner." Bohm was an All-Star for the first time in 2024. However, this season, his OPS dropped by 38 points. There were rumors of the Phillies trying to trade him last offseason, and now that he is one year away from free agency, a trade could happen. Meanwhile, Arenado has declined over the last two years, but the Phillies need to shake things up. Arenado has two years remaining on his $260 million contract. However, he may not be overly expensive in a trade. The St. Louis Cardinals are likely headed for a rebuild and may be desperate to move Arenado. "The Cardinals did a whole farewell thing for Arenado's final home game and Phillies (president of baseball operations) Dave Dombrowski strikes me as the type to go after the fiery veteran," wrote Axisa. "I'm not saying the Phillies will take on the entire $32 million the Cardinals still owed Arenado or that they'll send St. Louis a big package of prospects. The Cardinals will eat a bunch of money and take back two or three Grade C prospects, but it'll get done, and Arenado will man third base in Philadelphia in 2026 and 2027." Arenado is an eight-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, 10-time Gold Glover and six-time Platinum Glover. He is not the player he once was, but he would not need to be a superstar in Philadelphia. He could be a solid role player as the team chases a World Series.
