Phillies’ Rob Thomson says he talked to Alec Bohm about trade rumors: ‘We’re not shopping him’

DALLAS — Alec Bohm stood in the somber visitors’ clubhouse shortly after the Phillies’ season ended in October and expressed confidence in his future with the organization.

“I know where I’ll be next year,” the third baseman said.

Fast forward two months, and it’s possible that his fate could be out of his hands. Bohm, 28, has been at the center of Phillies trade rumors this offseason, with his name flying around at this week’s winter meetings in Dallas.

» READ MORE: Alec Bohm is available, but are the Phillies overestimating his trade value?

That’s why Phillies manager Rob Thomson has been keeping in close contact with Bohm. Thomson said Tuesday that the pair have texted over the offseason and they had a longer conversation on the phone this week.

“I just wanted to let him know we’re not shopping him,” Thomson said. “But because he’s a good player, there’s a whole lot of interest in him from other teams. Obviously you have to do your homework and talk to people and listen.”

Bohm is working out at a facility in Houston and will visit the Phillies facilities in Clearwater, Fla., around Christmas before returning to Texas. Thomson said Bohm has been hitting well and working hard lifting.

“I think this is probably the first time he’s gone through something like this, so I just want to ease his mind,” Thomson said. “It’s part of the business that you’ve got to get through. Because it’s the first time, I thought it was important to reach out.”

The trade rumors follow a disappointing 2024 postseason that saw Bohm, an All-Star starter in July, benched for utility man Edmundo Sosa for Game 2 of the National League Division Series. Bohm wasn’t the only member of the Phillies offense to struggle in October, but the third baseman’s frustration with his stagnation at the plate was clear.

Bohm’s outward displays of emotion — including his tendency to throw his helmet or bat when displeased with a result on the field — have drawn criticism. Former All-Star catcher A.J. Pierzynski said on the baseball show Foul Territory that Bohm’s attitude played a role in his playoff benching.

“I don’t know where that comes from,” Thomson said of claims of Bohm’s immaturity, “but he is an emotional guy. He cares a great deal. So he shows his emotion. Believe me, he’s not the only one on the club that shows their emotion and slams a helmet or a bat every once in a while. But that just shows me he cares.”

» READ MORE: Let’s make a deal: Trade ideas for the ‘open-minded’ Phillies with Alec Bohm, Ranger Suárez, and more

The Phillies hired Casey Weathers as their director of pitching, filling a void left after Brian Kaplan was hired by the Diamondbacks. While Kaplan served as both director of pitching and a major league assistant pitching coach, the Phillies are dividing his former responsibilities into two positions. Mark Lowy was previously promoted internally to major league assistant, while Weathers’ role will be player-development focused. Weathers, a former minor league pitcher drafted eighth overall by the Rockies in 2007, most recently served as a pitching coordinator with Cincinnati. … The Phillies will remain in Dallas after the conclusion of the winter meetings and plan to bring in their pitching personnel for organizational meetings on Thursday. … Brandon Marsh and Cal Stevenson are currently working with Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long in Phoenix, while assistant hitting coach Rafael Peña is in the Dominican Republic with Johan Rojas, who is playing in the Dominican Winter League.