The Pittsburgh Pirates have been one of the more aggressive teams to watch this offseason, especially when it comes to upgrading their lineup after a tough year a campaign ago offensively.

Given their need for third base help, it didn’t take long for some to link them to Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm, a player who fits what the Pirates want to do.

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On paper, the idea made sense, but it looks like that’s all it’ll be.

According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies aren’t expected to move Bohm this winter after missing out on Bo Bichette.

“It’s a cold reality the Phillies face in mid-January. Outside of Bichette, who was one of the youngest and best free agents available this winter, the paths to a similar type of splash are all but nonexistent.

“After Bichette’s decision, the Phillies quickly reached an agreement with J.T. Realmuto on a three-year, $45 million deal, league sources said. They could still shuffle their infield by trading third baseman Alec Bohm, but that is unlikely. The Phillies were willing to readjust everything for Bichette, but absent him, they are now unlikely to add a meaningful position player,” he wrote.

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The Phillies were only willing to consider moving Bohm if it was part of a much larger domino effect, which would’ve been Bichette. Once Bichette signed with the New York Mets, they have no reason to move him.

Obviously, for the Pirates, that’s not ideal.

Bohm would’ve been a nice addition, but I think the Pirates can still find someone at third.

But sticking with him, it feels like even if the Pirates are willing to put together a competitive package, the Phillies simply aren’t in a position where moving Bohm makes sense unless they get back a really good player.

Trading him now would create more questions than they already have for a team still trying to win the NL.

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That doesn’t mean the Pirates won’t keep looking, as guys like Eugenio Suarez are available, but they’ll have some different flaws that Bohm doesn’t have, even if they’re better in other areas.

Unless something changes, Bohm is expected to remain in Philadelphia, and the Pirates will need to turn their attention elsewhere.