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Rob Thomson on Alec Bohm: ‘We’re not shopping him’

Alec Bohm’s name has come up in trade speculation this offseason. (Grace Del Pizzo/Phillies Nation)

Manager Rob Thomson spoke with reporters on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings in Dallas. He fielded questions on a few topics. Perhaps his most intriguing comments came when the Phillies skipper talked about Alec Bohm.

Bohm’s name has been thrown around in trade speculation this offseason. The Phillies are open to shaking things up this winter. Trading Bohm could be part of that. But Thomson, who spoke with Bohm on Monday, said the Phillies aren’t necessarily the ones throwing the third baseman’s name into trade talks.

“I talked to him on the phone yesterday,” Thomson said. He added that Bohm is currently in Houston. He’s working out down there. Thomson mentioned Bohm is in good shape and is already hitting.

Thomson’s message to Bohm included the fact that the Phillies aren’t shopping the 2024 All-Star.

“I just wanted to let him know we’re not — this guy is a really good player. We’re not shopping him,” said Thomson. “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.”

Thomson felt it was a good time to talk to Bohm over the phone. The two have been in contact via text, but Thomson wanted to ease Bohm’s mind with everything circulating in the media. Especially because Bohm’s name has never been thrown around in trade speculation to the level it has this winter.

“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.”

A lot has been made about Bohm being benched for Game 2 of the NLDS. Throughout his time in the majors, his frustration has been taken out on the field for everyone to see. Some people think there’s a level of immaturity to Bohm. Thomson doesn’t see it that way.

“I don’t know where that comes from,” Thomson said regarding Bohm’s perceived immaturity. “But he is an emotional guy. He cares a great deal. So he shows emotion.”

Thomson added: “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.”

There’s plenty of offseason left. Anything can happen. But for now, it sounds like the Phillies prefer keeping Bohm around.