Story byJon ConahanMon, January 12, 2026 at 8:40 PM UTC·1 min readPhillies landing Bo Bichette could be due to a small move the organization made originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The idea of Bo Bichette landing with the Philadelphia Phillies isn’t just speculation anymore, as there’s real interest on both sides and it was reported last week that they’ll meet. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, the interest can be viewed in a few different ways, as it sounds like a new Phillies coach could be making an impact. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Bichette has “expressed a desire” to play for the Phillies.“The Phillies’ interest in potentially signing Bichette came about after the holidays when Bichette expressed a desire in playing for them, particularly after the hiring last week of Don Mattingly as their bench coach. Mattingly was the Toronto Blue Jays’ bench coach the past three years and became close to Bichette,” he wrote. New Phillies bench coach Don Mattingly spent the past three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays and clearly built a connection with Bichette, one that seems to be carrying weight now that Mattingly has joined Philadelphia’s staff. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Phillies have been aggressive in chasing star talent, and Bichette would immediately raise their chances of winning it all.
