> At a Glance
> – The Phillies have scheduled a Monday meeting with free-agent infielder Bo Bichette
> – Bichette is reportedly seeking a $300 million deal after hitting .311 with 18 HR in 2025
> – New bench coach Don Mattingly-Bichette’s former manager in Toronto-is driving Philadelphia’s push
> – Why it matters: Signing the 27-year-old could force the Phillies to trade Alec Bohm and reshape the NL champions’ roster
The Phillies’ off-season took a dramatic turn Thursday when multiple outlets confirmed Philadelphia will sit down with marquee free-agent Bo Bichette early next week, intensifying speculation that the NL chiefs are ready to spend big and shuffle their infield.
Meeting Set for Monday
Matt Gelb and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported the face-to-face, while Jon Heyman of the New York Post-who broke the initial link last Saturday-added that the session is locked in for Monday.
The timing is no accident. Philadelphia just hired Don Mattingly as bench coach; Mattingly and Bichette built a strong rapport during their shared time in Toronto, a relationship Heyman flags as a key selling point for the Phillies.
Contract Expectations & 2025 Stats
- Age: 27
- 2025 batting line: .311/.362/.467, 18 HR, 94 RBI
- MLB ranks: 2nd with 44 doubles
- Post-season: Returned from a left-knee issue to hit .348 with a HR and 6 RBI in the World Series, including a game-tying homer off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7
- Market price: Believed to be hovering around $300 million, per industry whispers
Defensive Fit & Roster Dominoes
Bichette has logged every big-league inning at shortstop, but metrics were rough in 2025 (-13 Outs Above Average, among the worst in baseball). The Phillies already have Trea Turner entrenched there, so second base-where Bichette debuted during the Fall Classic-appears to be his landing spot.
Adding his right-handed bat would balance a left-leaning lineup, yet signing him complicates the rest of the roster:
- Alec Bohm, 29 and due $10.2 million in his walk year, becomes the most obvious trade chip
- Bryson Stott‘s elite glove and third-base experience make him less likely to be moved
- A J.T. Realmuto reunion grows harder if the payroll spikes toward the luxury-tax line
Front-office Posture
Club officials have stopped short of labeling Bichette a top priority, but simply scheduling the meeting signals legitimate interest in a thin free-agent infield class. How far that interest goes should crystallize after Monday’s conversation.
Key Takeaways
- The Phillies will personally pitch Bichette on Monday, sources say
- A $300 million ask could test the club’s payroll ceiling
- Don Mattingly’s presence is central to Philadelphia’s recruitment
- Alec Bohm likely heads elsewhere if the Phillies land the star infielder
Whether Philadelphia ultimately reshapes its roster for the 27-year-old standout** hinges on how both sides leave the room when Monday ends.
