SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 25: Alec Bohm #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on prior to the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Monday, May 25, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ryan Levy/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Philadelphia Phillies dramatically reshaped their lineup at the trade deadline by acquiring four-time All-Star Luis Arraez, but that blockbuster immediately created difficult questions about how the club would align its defense for the stretch run.
Initially, the team has moved franchise slugger Bryce Harper back to the outfield, replacing him with Alec Bohm at first base so that Bryson Stott can play third and Arraez can man his preferred position at second base.
But not everyone believes that strategy will be the best path forward. In fact, one prominent baseball voice argued that the club should use the trade as a reason to remove Bohm from the everyday picture entirely.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Luis Arraez Trade Sparks Alec Bohm Debate
While the Phillies addressed some significant offensive questions by acquiring Arraez, it seemed as if their infield and outfield alignment were secondary considerations.
“Arraez has played first base in his career, but he prefers second base and that’s where he will play for the Phillies,” Jim Salisbury noted for NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Others, besides Harper, made sacrifices to accommodate Arraez. Second baseman Bryson Stott will move to third base and Alec Bohm will move across the diamond to first base.”
That alignment drew immediate criticism from one veteran columnist, who argued that the Phillies should have taken a much tougher stance with Bohm instead of moving Harper to the outfield, where he will be putting some extra stress on a surgically repaired elbow.
Philadelphia Phillies Face Alec Bohm Decision After Blockbuster Trade
“The most obvious solution would be to slide Bryson Stott to third base — not ideal for midseason — and install Arraez at second, with Alec Bohm, who can neither hit nor field at this point, going to the bench or beyond, rather than moving him to first base and Bryce Harper to right field,” The Athletic’s Keith Law urged.
The criticism didn’t stop there. Law questioned whether Bohm should still be playing any significant role for the organization in his contract year.
“I don’t know whether Bohm even has trade value at this point, with a $10.2 million salary and production below replacement level,” Law added. “And because he’s a free agent after the season anyway, the Phillies have no incentive at all to keep playing him. (Also, today’s Bohm’s 30th birthday, so, uh, happy birthday, have you considered celebrating in the Lehigh Valley?)”
That criticism caught the attention of many readers, including prominent analysts like Ben Verlander and Mitch Rupert.
Whether the Phillies seriously consider such a drastic move remains to be seen. For now, the organization appears committed to keeping Bohm in the lineup while shifting him to first base and asking Harper to return to right field for the first time in several years.
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