The Philadelphia Phillies reportedly saw Ranger Suárez depart for the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, a move that had been anticipated and therefore did not come as a major shock this offseason. Even so, the Phillies still face an important decision behind the plate, as they must either re-sign JT Realmuto or find a suitable replacement. While Philadelphia appears to be among the favorites to retain the star catcher, there is still the possibility they may need to explore alternative options if negotiations fall through.
One potential pivot was recently floated by Jordan Leandre of Just Baseball, who suggested the Phillies could look to the trade market. Leandre proposed a scenario in which Philadelphia sends pitching prospect Jean Cabrera to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for catcher Korey Lee. “He’s hovered around the mid-to-low 80s in wRC+ as a high-minors catcher in recent years, and perhaps a team needy for a backup catcher gives up a dartboard throw prospect,” Leandre wrote. He added that “The Phillies come to mind especially, having dealt Eduardo Tait last winter and remaining uncertainty surrounding JT Realmuto.”
As things stand, Philadelphia’s catching depth remains unsettled. “Right now, the Phillies’ two catchers on the 40-man roster are Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs. Behind them (are) Mark Kolozsvary and Rene Pinto in Triple-A. Overall, Marchán’s been fine in parts of four seasons defensively, but there’s not much in the way of long-term sustainability at the position.”
Lee would not arrive in Philadelphia with expectations of becoming a franchise cornerstone, but he could represent a modest upgrade if Realmuto ultimately leaves and Lee is able to put things together. The 27-year-old has yet to find consistent success at the major league level, though he could still serve as a viable depth option. Any such deal would be made with realistic expectations, viewing Lee as organizational insurance rather than a projected star.