The tough truth for the Philadelphia Phillies and J.T. Realmuto is that his performance has declined, but the team also lacks better alternatives on the market. Unless they are working on a major trade for someone like Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles, who some believe could be available, Realmuto remains the strongest option they can realistically pursue.
Realmuto is coming off a season in which he batted .257 and posted a 99 OPS plus, his lowest offensive mark since his rookie year. Even so, his defense is still above average, which will influence how teams view him in free agency. Despite concerns about his bat, Will Laws of Sports Illustrated still sees a strong fit in Philadelphia and predicts the Phillies will bring him back.
Laws noted that Realmuto has been a dependable part of Philadelphia’s championship-level core for seven seasons. His first below average offensive year in a decade could be routine age related decline for a mid thirties catcher or simply unfortunate timing. He wrote that returning to the Phillies seems best for both sides, as Realmuto likely holds more value to them than to any other club right now.
Fans who want to move on should recognize that far worse choices exist. Elite offensive catchers are rare across Major League Baseball. Realmuto has been a strong hitter for most of his career, but he is now thirty four and will turn thirty five before next season.