Phillies 2025-2026 Hot Stove Discussion

[zambonir]

Unless the Top 100 prospect allows you to get a better, younger and more controllable catcher than Caratini or Vasquez.

I wouldn't trade Stott. I'd just spend the money on both Bichette and JT if JT will either take two years or a lower AAV on three. I don't really care what they get for Bohm in that scenario, it's a salary dump.

We may yet see Stott at 3B too, though it seems to me Bichette, having played mostly SS, will be more comfortable staying on that side of the diamond. Not sure either of them has a better arm than the other.

[flyers19rw]

Wasn’t there a complaint that while playing SS, Stott didn’t have the arm to make the throw from deep in the hole? If so, that would be an indication that 3B isn’t the position for him.

[zambonir]

Yeah but I dont' think Bichette's is better, and his range might be worse.

Which ultimately goes back to the question, is Bichette worth all the machinations? If they think the answer is yes they really don't care about his defense or position (except that he's not playing SS).

[phillychuck]

What I’ve seen from Stott’s arm in the majors is good--strong and accurate. I’m sure the Phils’ coaches won’t move him to 3B if he can’t handle it...

[julio]

What I’ve seen from Stott’s arm in the majors is good--strong and accurate. I’m sure the Phils’ coaches won’t move him to 3B if he can’t handle it...

Oh, for sure not. I mean, the Phillies have no history of trying, unsuccessfully, to move a decent second baseman to third base...

[Docs]

the Phillies have no history of trying, unsuccessfully, to move a decent second baseman to third base...

For the crowd that is starting the day slower than normal, who is this a reference to? I mean i definitely know I’m just asking for someone else

[phillychuck]

Utley was moved to 3B in AAA (and reportedly hated playing there). We are not the same organization now, I hope, and will be realistic about Stott’s potential at 3B...2B-->3B is a leftward move on the defensive spectrum and usually works. For a Phillies example, see Placido Polanco.

[BostonRoss]

Wasn’t Stott our opening day third baseman a few years ago?

[zambonir]

He was but that was his only career start. Did it one other time that year (2022). We still had Gregorius, Segura and Camargo, plus a rotating DH spot. Segura was also moved to 3B in 2021 until Kingery bombed out, and then again for Miami.

It just seems possible moving from SS to 3B will be an easier transition for Bichette than 2B to 3B would be for Stott, and those 11 or 12 innings in 2022 is the whole of Stott's greater experience there.

[flyers19rw]

When Mike Schmidt was in AAA ball he was moving between 2B and 3B

[phillychuck]

When Mike Schmidt was in AAA ball he was moving between 2B and 3B

He was a SS in AA, then split 3B and 2B in AAA (Eugene). Let’s hope Miller progresses similarly, especially at the plate!

[andyb]

I wonder how advanced analytics today would have placed someone like Schmidt. Given his range I bet there might have been a big push to keep him at SS or 2B when back in the day they pushed him to 3B because of his size.

[dicemen99]

Not sure if this is AI, some yahoo trying to build clicks, or Scott Boras' burner account:

Daily Baseball Feed

"Phillies get good news on Bo Bichette, J.T. Realmuto amid interesting free agent update
_ he Philadelphia Phillies received encouraging developments on two key free-agent targets, shortstop Bo Bichette and catcher J.T. Realmuto, as the offseason market shifts in their favor.Sources indicate Bichette’s camp has softened its initial nine-year, $360 million demand following Monday’s meeting, now willing to accept an eight-year, $320 million structure with opt-outs after year five. The adjustment narrows the gap with Philadelphia’s standing offer of eight years at $310 million, boosting optimism for a deal that would pair the 27-year-old contact hitter with Trea Turner in the infield.Meanwhile, Realmuto’s market remains quiet, with only preliminary interest from the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. The five-time All-Star, seeking six years and $150 million, has seen his leverage diminish, making a return to Philadelphia on a three-year, $60-65 million deal with incentives increasingly likely. The 35-year-old hit .268 with 20 home runs in 2025 and remains a defensive leader. Both updates provide the Phillies flexibility to bolster their roster before spring training begins."

Just passing it along, I got it from a comment on the Inquirer story. I can't believe there is any credibility to these numbers, especially the JT numbers.

[andyb]

Those dollar figures seem pretty unrealistic for both of them. Not sure even Scott Boras could ask for 6 years and $150 million for a 35-year-old catcher with a straight face.

[saycheese]

I don't think any of this is true as you suspected.

. The article didn't even quote JT's stats the right way. He hit .257 with 12 home runs last year, not 268 with 20 home runs. No way the Phillies are going to give him 20 plus million a year for 3yrs a age 35, if he had that offer in hand he would have been signed already.

As far as Bichette goes I think realistically probably looking at 7yrs 210 million. I highly doubt they give him 40 mill a year.

[fish]

His issue is declining range. That is less of an issue at 2B or 3B. His arm is only average

Bichette’s arm is below average, but statcast says it’s the same as Bohm’s, which is interesting to me because I’ve not noticed Bohms arm to be an issue. Stott’s avg throw speed was 0.8 mph slower than Bohm’s. Both Bohm and Stott averaged 85 mph when they first came up, now it’s down to 81- though maybe that came as an evolution of improving their fielding mechanics.

[andyb]

Do we like being the overwhelming favorite? Not that I really trust the source.

The Phillies are the overwhelming favorites to sign infielder Bo Bichette while the Yankees and Mets will now be in a bidding war for outfielder Cody Bellinger.

— Bob Nightengale ( @BNightengale ) January 16, 2026

[zambonir]

haha. Yeah, it's exciting on paper, but wouldn't be heartbreaking if it doesn't happen. Seems like that is truly just Nightengale's opinion rather than his often-wrong "reporting" too.

I would think the Jays might want back in on him right? And while fit seems less clear for the NY teams, that's no less true of us. But Mets (and Red Sox) won't go as long as Phillies and Yankees probably still prefer Bellinger (and are holding out with him over length too I believe).

Just seems unlikely there are any surprise teams.

The Dodgers' signing of Tucker does make me wonder if the "get more pitching" people have a point. We're not gonna outslug them. But this might not be the time or year to do that. See how Wheeler, Painter and Nola do, and there's more FAs (and possible trade candidates) next year (even assuming they extend Luzardo too). Whereas signing Valdez after letting Ranger go and not getting Imai would be annoying. After that t's pretty much Gallen and Bassitt (on the MLBTR list).

[bigegypt0417]

Why wouldn't we want to sign Bichette?

I don't think i've paid much attention...

[zambonir]

well you can go read 10 or 20 posts about it (his possible warts as player, the overall wisdom of giving him a huge long contract, whether it might mean trading Stott) up higher.