This offseason, much of the conversation surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies will revolve around Kyle Schwarber.
Until he reaches a decision, fans will be anxiously waiting and hoping he chooses to return.
Still, the Phillies face additional free agency choices, one of the most notable involving J.T. Realmuto, who has consistently shown himself to be an above-average contributor, particularly as a catcher.
What’s the latest on J.T. Realmuto?
At his peak, there were few catchers better defensively than J.T. Realmuto, and for much of his career he’s been an above-average hitter at the position. While his offense has dipped in recent years, his overall value is still evident.
The Phillies could face a tough decision, though. If Realmuto’s price tag rises, they may struggle to retain him, especially since there’s no clear in-house replacement and the free-agent market for catchers isn’t deep. That lack of options is part of why Jim Bowden of The Athletic believes Realmuto could still land a respectable deal.
“Age is catching up with Realmuto, who won both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in 2022 but has declined since. His power has faded, with home runs dropping from 20 in 2023 to 14 in 2024 and just seven so far this season.
Still, he remains among the elite in pop time and ranks in the 96th percentile in caught stealing above average. Though his framing and blocking have slipped to below-average levels, he’s widely respected for his game calling, and pitchers enjoy working with him,” Bowden noted.
Even with those strengths, Spotrac projects a modest market value: $13.7 million over two years, or about $6.8 million annually. At that price, if Realmuto is open to staying, the Phillies would be wise to consider keeping him.
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