Phillies Expected to Pursue $140M Power-Hitting Free Agent Raising Questions About Alec Bohm’s Future
By Hunter Cookston
8 hours ago
The Philadelphia Phillies, a team that has hovered near a World Series breakthrough ever since signing Bryce Harper, once again face major offseason decisions. Despite regular postseason appearances, recent comments from team president Dave Dombrowski have sparked concern about the direction of the franchise and Harper himself.
When asked to evaluate Harper’s 2025 performance, Dombrowski offered a surprisingly tempered assessment.
“He didn’t have the elite season he’s had in the past. We’ll find out whether he gets back to that level, or if he stays merely good… Can he reach that next tier again? I’m not sure,” he told reporters.
While Harper’s situation draws attention, the Phillies are also expected to shake up their roster elsewhere. Nick Castellanos appears increasingly likely to be moved either through a trade or an outright release.
“It has been clear for months that Castellanos’ time in Philadelphia would probably end this winter. His production has fallen short of expectations for most of his tenure. He’s coming off a career-worst .250/.294/.400 slash line and even lost playing time in the second half,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Anthony Franco noted.
On the free-agent front, Phillies observers are watching one name closely: Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami.
JustBaseball.com’s Ryan Finkelstein predicts Philadelphia could make a push for him.
Despite being limited to 56 games in 2025, Murakami clubbed 24 home runs and showed flashes of the superstar he was in 2022. Finkelstein describes him as a classic “three-true-outcomes” hitter capable of leading MLB in strikeouts but also ranking near the top in homers.
If Kyle Schwarber does not return, Murakami could slide into the DH role. Another option: placing him at third base, where his defensive ability would be questionable but his offensive upside far exceeds that of Alec Bohm.
However, concerns exist. Murakami dealt with back-to-back down seasons in 2023 and 2024 and then battled injuries throughout 2025 factors that have created some skepticism despite his massive potential. Even so, projections suggest his next contract could reach around $140 million.
Murakami’s bat would be a strong fit in the Phillies’ power-heavy lineup, and multiple teams are expected to pursue him. For Philadelphia, signing him might be a crucial move as their championship window begins to narrow.
For now, it’s a situation to monitor but history shows the Phillies are never shy when it comes to making bold free-agency decisions.
Leave a Reply