Phillies and White Sox in extensive trade talks involving Alec Bohm and Justin Crawford for All-Star ace pitcher: Reports

As the offseason trade market continues to heat up, Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies is one name that keeps popping up. Recently, an MLB analyst linked the Phillies outfielder to a possible deal with MLB's worst team in 2024.

In a piece for USA Today published on Monday, analyst Bob Nightengale claimed that the Phillies and White Sox are in "extensive trade talks." Nightengale claimed that in addition to Bohm, prospect Justin Crawford is also on the table as Philly explores their chances of acquiring the Sox' best starter. According to Nightengale:

"Simply, their lineup is too easy for opposing pitchers to navigate, and the Phillies need to shake it up. They have been shopping outfielder Nick Castellanos for nearly two years and now are making third baseman Alec Bohm available."

According to Bob Nightengale, the Philadelphia Phillies are becoming too predictable. Having gone deep into the postseason three straight years with the same lineup, Nightengale expressed the need for the club to 'shake it up."

Per the piece, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet is the subject of these 'extensive talks', which are ongoing. Crochet, 25, had a breakout campaign in his first season as a starting pitcher in 2024. Through 32 starts, the Mississippi-born southpaw posted a 3.58 ERA, a 1.068 WHIP and some 209 strikeouts across 146.0 innings on the mound.

"REPORT: The Philadelphia Phillies have had “extensive trade talks” regarding Garrett Crochet according to @BNightengale. Names included Alec Bohm and Justin Crawford. #MLB | @ChatSports" - Jack Lautaret

While there does appear to be mutual interest on both parts, Nightengale indicated that the Sox are concerned about Bohm's latter-season performance in 2024. After hitting .293 with 11 homers and 68 RBIs between April and July, Alec Bohm's average slunk to .238 in August and September.

Alec Bohm rumors indicate changing mood in Philly

In 2022 or 2023, it would have been unthinkable for the Phillies to entertain trading a dynamic young infielder like Bohm. However, after their let-down NLDS disqualification at the hands of the New York Mets this season, management knows that changes need to come. As president of baseball ops Dave Dombrowski recently told the Philadelphia Inquirer:

“We’re more open-minded than what we have been in other years, I think we need to be from where we’ve been. We’re trying to get a little bit better"

While altering the star-studded roster is bound to cause some blowback from fans, it may also open the door to a realm of possibilities that put the Phillies in their best position to win since 2008.