The Philadelphia Phillies saw three major contributors reach free agency this winter: Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Ranger Suárez. Schwarber has already been brought back, but decisions still loom on Realmuto and Suárez.
Realmuto presents a complicated situation for Philadelphia. His offensive production has slipped, yet the Phillies may be hesitant to move forward with Garrett Stubbs or Rafael Marchán as their everyday catcher. With limited alternatives available in free agency and no clear trade solution, Realmuto may still represent the most reliable option behind the plate.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer has projected that the Phillies will ultimately choose to re-sign Realmuto despite the clear signs of age-related decline. Realmuto will be 35 when next season begins and continues to log heavy workloads, catching 132 games last year. If his ability to handle regular catching duties diminishes, the Phillies could find themselves in a difficult position.
Because Schwarber occupies the designated hitter role, Realmuto must remain capable of catching consistently as he gets older. Last season marked the first time since 2015 that his OPS+ fell below 100. He finished the year hitting .257/.315/.384 with only 12 home runs, and his power output has declined steadily since 2022.
Defensively, Realmuto is no longer elite as a framer or blocker, but he still stands out for his quick pop time and remains better than average at throwing out runners. At the end of the day, the Phillies may not have a stronger alternative available, and Realmuto’s standing as a fan favorite only strengthens the case. Bringing him back could simply be the most practical move for Philadelphia.