The Philadelphia Phillies didn’t waste any time after lacking out on infielder Bo Bichette in free company.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan announced on the “Pat McAfee Present” that the Phillies had agreed to phrases to carry catcher J.T. Realmuto again to Philadelphia. He’ll reportedly obtain a three-year deal value $45 million.
The 34-year-old Realmuto had one other strong displaying for the Phillies in 2025. He posted a decent .257/.315/.384 batting line in his 550 plate appearances, hitting 12 homers and 26 doubles. Realmuto was excellent defensively, saving six runs behind the plate whereas throwing out 29.7% of would-be basestealers (league common in 2025 was 23.2%).
Father Time beginning to catch as much as Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto
Though Realmuto continued to be a gradual workhorse behind the plate, cracks began to indicate in 2025. His .384 slugging share and 91 OPS+ (league common is 100) have been his worst marks in any full main league season. Realmuto’s .700 OPS was his lowest since his rookie season in 2015.
These cracks have begun to indicate defensively as nicely. Realmuto has thrown out simply 24% of bsaestealers over the previous three seasons, a mark that, whereas nonetheless above common, is much under his 31.8% profession fee.
Regardless of these considerations, the Phillies didn’t have a lot of a selection however to carry Realmuto again. Rafael Marchan and Garrett Stubbs are the one catchers on their 40-man roster and hardly encourage confidence as a major backstop for a playoff-caliber group. Realmuto was the most suitable choice accessible in a weak free agent class for catchers. The Phillies best choice was to carry him again to Philadelphia whereas hoping for a delicate decline.
