Phillies connect Padres with $36 million Gold Glover as potential replacement for Alec Bohm

The Philadelphia Phillies have been quiet so far this winter, but a big move could still be on the horizon.

After their bitter playoff disappointment in 2024, the Phillies will be looking for revenge next season. They hardly made any changes to their squad last offseason, but this time the situation seems to require a change.

With third baseman Alec Bohm struggling on the road and in the playoffs, his name was floated as a potential trade to the Phillies in the offseason this winter. That would certainly be a mix-up, but Bohm would also leave a spot vacant.

Bohm wasn’t known for his glove. So what if the Phillies chose defense and brought in a world-renowned outfielder from the San Diego Padres to take his place?

Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly recently named former Padres utility infielder Ha-Seong Kim as a candidate for the Phillies if Bohm is released by Philadelphia.

“If third baseman Alec Bohm is traded, there will be a lot of discussion about signing Alex Bregman or Willy Adames. Bregman would certainly add a right-handed hitter who doesn’t strike out much, although it will likely require a mega-deal.” “Land him,” Kelly said.

“Ha-Seong Kim is an interesting pivot at third base. He may not be ready for Opening Day as he recovers from shoulder surgery, but Kim makes contact, steals bases and is a great defender in three different spots in the infield.”

Kim, 29, has been a Swiss Army knife for the Padres over his four-year career, playing everywhere on the diamond and doing a solid job at the plate throughout. He has a Gold Glove and 15.3 career BWAR to his name and has a league-average OPS+ of 99 as a hitter.

Since Kim underwent labrum surgery, his free agent value is difficult to assess while he’s on the shelf. Tim Britton of The Athletic predicted a two-year, $36 million contract for him, which would be a bargain for the Phillies if he comes back and plays well early in the season.

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