The St. Louis Cardinals are projected to land former Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Alec Bohm in free agency as a temporary solution at third base during their ongoing rebuild.
The Cardinals finished 77-85 in 2026 and continue prioritizing internal development over major spending. They seek short-term roster additions that can help in 2027 without blocking young players.
Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report listed the Cardinals as the landing spot for Bohm in a free-agent prediction series covering top available players.
“Bohm didn’t have a great contract season, though a settled lawsuit against his parents likely contributed to a slow start. He posted a .632 first-half OPS but rebounded to .794 after the All-Star Break,” Kelly wrote.
“Bohm still drove in 88 runs, the third time in four seasons he’s driven in at least that many. Over seven seasons with the Phillies, Bohm has shown he can bring runners in, as he’s a career .314 hitter with runners in scoring position. The sample size is large enough that it’s not just a coincidence.
“The Cardinals make sense for Bohm, who is from Omaha and played collegiately at Wichita State. He can sign a multi-year deal with them, but opt out and return to the market if he has a more complete 2027.”
Bohm hit .249 with a .315 on-base percentage and .383 slugging percentage in 2026. He added 15 home runs, 88 RBI and 48 walks while posting a .698 OPS and roughly replacement-level production by WAR measures.
The 30-year-old third baseman made the All-Star team in 2024 and appeared in the postseason with the Phillies in each of the past five seasons, including their 2022 World Series appearance.
St. Louis would view him as a bridge option for one or two years while prospects such as Thomas Saggese or others progress through the system. A strong rebound could leave him with several productive seasons remaining.
Bohm’s defense at third base remains a clear concern. The Cardinals already have Alec Burleson established at first base after he led all of Major League Baseball with 116 RBI in 2026, so a positional shift is unlikely.
He would not match the defensive impact long provided by Nolan Arenado. Power production could also be limited at Busch Stadium, which tends to suppress home runs more than most ballparks.
A multi-year deal with an opt-out after 2027 would give Bohm a chance to rebuild his value while giving the Cardinals flexibility. Other free-agent third basemen exist, but Bohm stands out as one of the more experienced options available this winter.
The Cardinals have made clear they remain open to short-term help at the position rather than a long-term commitment that could interfere with their pipeline.
Whether Bohm accepts such an arrangement or finds a better offer elsewhere will shape how St. Louis fills the spot heading into 2027.
