Here’s how far off the Phillies and Alec Bohm are in arbitration filings

While the Philadelphia Phillies were able to avoid arbitration with four players Thursday, they weren’t able to reach an agreement with third baseman Alec Bohm, whom they now will exchange figures with and prepare for a potential hearing in front of a trio of independent panelists in Spring Training.

Bohm is one of 22 arbitration-eligible players who hasn’t yet agreed to terms with his team for 2024, and is on track to have his salary determined by the aforementioned trio of panelists at a hearing. According to ESPN‘s Jeff Passan, Bohm’s camp filed at $4 million. Meanwhile, the Phillies filed at $3.4 million. For what it’s worth, MLB Trade Rumors projected back in October that Bohm would make $4.3 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility.

There’s nothing stopping the Phillies and Bohm from bridging the relatively small gap that exists between them before the arbitration hearing that will take place on a to-be-determined date. The two sides could decide to split the difference and settle at $3.7 million. But, if not, they will go to a hearing.

While there have been some players who take going to an arbitration hearing personally, it’s really just a procedural matter that doesn’t prevent the two sides from extending their relationship in the future. Prior to the 2008 season, Ryan Howard filed at $10 million and defeated the Phillies, who had offered him $7 million. The Phillies defeated J.T. Realmuto in an arbitration case prior to the 2020 season, getting to pay him $10 million rather than the $12.4 million the All-Star catcher had hoped to receive. Both went on to sign long-term contracts with the Phillies.

Bohm still has two remaining years of arbitration eligibility after 2024, so the Phillies are a ways away from having to make a decision about his long-term future. The former first-round pick posted career highs in home runs (20) and RBIs (97) a season ago, but got mixed reviews defensively, posting -10 defensive runs saved but one out above average in 686 1/3 innings at third base.

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