The Philadelphia Phillies' 2025-2026 offseason is going to be a big one. From the decisions on Kyle Schwarber, JT Realmuto, Ranger Suarez, and Harrison Bader, to the free agent and trades that could be coming, it's shaping up to be a huge winter.
Dave Dombrowski has shown the willingness to go big, and if John Middleton gives the green light to go all-in, the Phillies might just do so. Upgrading their third base spot from Alec Bohm is a strong possibility.
As Jeff Jones of BND.com reports, the Phillies' interest in St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Arenado is real. But it's not just a vague interest. Philadelphia's interest in the 10-time Gold Glover is "intensifying."
Phillies' interest in Nolan Arenado 'intensifying'
"The Philadelphia Phillies seemed like the most logical destination for Arenado last winter," Jones writes, "and that has seemingly only intensified after another year of playoff disappointment."
Arenado would be a very fascinating pickup for the Phillies, for a multitude of reasons. First, the Phillies would need to trade for him, and while the Cardinals are entering a rebuild, it won't be cheap to land Arenado.
That isn't just in the compensation the Phillies would send, either. Arenado has two years left of his current deal, and his salary will be $16 million in 2026 and $15 million in 2027.
For someone who's regressed offensively like Arenado has in recent seasons, that contract will make him a tricky player for the Cardinals to trade, and in the Phillies' case, a tricky player to trade for.
The 34-year-old third baseman was still a good defender in 2025, but his offense took a huge step back. In 107 games, he had a.237 batting average and a.666 OPS.
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It's the worst OPS of his MLB career,.040 lower than his previous career low from his rookie year in 2013. His.377 slugging percentage was also the worst it's been in his career.
Looking at his numbers over the last few years, he's been on a steady decline. In 2022, when he finished third in NL MVP voting, he had an.891 OPS. In 2023, it dropped to.774 before dropping even further in 2024 to.719.
There's clear regression offensively with Arenado, but on a contender, and not required to be the focal point of the offense, Arenado could turn things around. It's a risk, but one the Phillies might be willing to take, according to this report from Jones.
If nothing else, this report indicating the Phillies' intensifying interest in Arenado points to Bohm's time as the third baseman coming to an end. The only question is whether it's Arenado, a free agent like Alex Bregman, or another player.
More Phillies news:
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- Phillies expected to bring back Jose Alvarado in 2026 after 80-game suspension
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