Philly’s Big Play: 4 Bold Moves to Land Juan Soto

Philly’s Big Play: 4 Bold Moves to Land Juan Soto

The Philadelphia Phillies are aiming to overcome their World Series setback and clinch a championship after a strong 2022 postseason run, despite falling short to the Houston Astros. In 2024, the Phillies remained among the top teams in Major League Baseball, particularly in the first half of the season, but their campaign ended prematurely in the NLDS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With eyes on 2025, the team is focused on bolstering its roster, with rumors linking them to superstar outfielder Juan Soto. However, the challenge lies in balancing payroll flexibility while making key improvements for a deeper postseason run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A major offseason task for President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski is to make tough decisions, including whether to trade players like Alec Bohm, Nick Castellanos, and Taijuan Walker to create room for upgrades. Bohm, a 28-year-old third baseman, had a breakout start to 2024, earning his first All-Star selection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, a rough second half and playoff performance have fueled trade talks. With two years of team control remaining, Bohm’s potential as a solid offensive and defensive asset could attract interest from teams, making him a strong trade candidate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Similarly, Castellanos, another player linked to trade rumors, posted a solid 2024 season with 23 home runs and a .412 batting average in the playoffs. Though his contract is hefty, with two years left on a five-year, $100 million deal, the Phillies might look to trade him to clear space for a player like Soto, but his position as a right fielder complicates things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Taijuan Walker has been a disappointment since signing a four-year, $72 million deal. With two years left on his contract, moving Walker is a difficult task, as the Phillies would likely need to absorb much of his salary to facilitate a trade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ultimately, the Phillies are facing a challenging offseason, requiring them to make key moves to improve their roster while maintaining financial flexibility for potential big acquisitions like Soto.