The Philadelphia Phillies’ pursuit of Bo Bichette in free agency could pay off, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
“It feels like Philly, it seems like there’s some momentum there to get it done and work it out,” Heyman reported during a Wednesday appearance on MLB Network.
Heyman also reported that the Phillies have been in a “stare down” with free agent J.T. Realmuto after offering him a three-year deal.
According to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, Philadelphia can’t agree to terms with both Bichette and Realmuto and would need to clear payroll in order to sign the former.
The Phillies already have the fourth-highest projected payroll among all MLB teams for the 2026 season (via FanGraphs).
Philadelphia met with Bichette on Monday, while Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported that “rival clubs are beginning to view the Phillies as Bichette’s most serious suitor.”
The two-time All-Star is coming off an encouraging 2025 campaign, amassing 18 home runs and 44 doubles to go along with 94 RBI in 139 games. Bichette also put together a .311/.357/.483 slash line.
He excelled during Toronto’s World Series run, posting a .923 OPS in seven postseason games.
Heyman previously listed the Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers as potential suitors for Bichette.
As for Realmuto, he could experience a change of scenery after spending the past seven seasons with Philadelphia.
The veteran catcher hit .257 with 12 homers and 52 RBI in 2025. Realmuto’s .700 OPS was his lowest as a member of the Phillies, though.
Potentially adding Bichette would be a major acquisition for a Philadelphia squad looking to go on a deeper postseason run after falling in the National League Division Series in each of the past two years.