The Philadelphia Phillies appeared to be building serious traction in their pursuit of Bo Bichette over the past week, with optimism growing around the league that a deal could come together. Philadelphia was able to sit down with the star shortstop, and from the outside, the fit looked increasingly natural. Between the roster construction, organizational stability, and overall direction of the franchise, many believed the Phillies had positioned themselves as a legitimate favorite to land Bichette.
MLB insider Jon Heyman added fuel to that belief when he reported that the meeting between Bichette and the Phillies went extremely well. According to Heyman, Bichette was impressed by Philadelphia’s “first-class” operation, while several other factors worked in the club’s favor. The Phillies’ competitive roster, hitter-friendly ballpark, Don Mattingly’s connection to the organization, and the convenience of spring training being close to Bichette’s home all stood out as positives. Still, there were questions about what Philadelphia might need to sacrifice in order to make the move work, including the possibility of dealing Alec Bohm or adjusting at catcher behind J.T. Realmuto. Despite competition from teams such as the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Yankees, and Dodgers, the Phillies appeared to be firmly in the mix.
Ultimately, however, the pursuit ended in disappointment. Bichette chose to sign with a division rival, the New York Mets, delivering a frustrating blow to Philadelphia’s offseason plans. Missing out on a player of Bichette’s caliber left the Phillies searching for an alternative path forward as they look to shake up a roster that fell short of expectations.
In the aftermath, Matt Davis of That Balls Outta Here suggested the Phillies could pivot toward another high-impact option: Cody Bellinger. With negotiations reportedly stalling between Bellinger and the New York Yankees, Philadelphia may now find itself in an advantageous position to enter the conversation. Davis argued that Bellinger would represent an unexpected but effective adjustment by the front office, especially after the letdown of losing Bichette to a rival.
For such a move to happen, roster changes would be necessary, and once again, Nick Castellanos appears to be at the center of that discussion. Castellanos is entering the final year of the five-year, $100 million deal he signed with the Phillies, but his production has declined sharply. During the 2025 season, he posted a .694 OPS and continued to struggle defensively, making him a liability in the outfield. To facilitate a trade or potential release, the Phillies would likely need to absorb a significant portion of his remaining $20 million salary, a tough pill to swallow given the team’s already elevated payroll.
Even so, adding Bellinger could provide a substantial boost. His ability to play multiple positions would immediately upgrade the outfield and offer flexibility at first base when Bryce Harper needs time off. Players with Bellinger’s blend of versatility, power, and defensive value are rare, making him an appealing target for a team still intent on contending.
With Castellanos’ future in Philadelphia increasingly uncertain regardless, the Phillies may view Bellinger as an opportunity too valuable to ignore as they regroup and recalibrate following their miss on Bichette.
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