The Philadelphia Phillies head into the offseason with four major players hitting free agency. Harrison Bader and Ranger Suárez are expected to move on, but both Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto are strong possibilities to return.
However, The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey and Ken Rosenthal report that the Boston Red Sox have shown interest in Realmuto. That raises some concern that Philadelphia could lose its starting catcher.
Still, the same report offers encouraging news for the Phillies: despite Boston’s interest, Philadelphia is widely viewed as the frontrunner to re-sign the veteran catcher.
“But the Red Sox are showing interest in JT Realmuto,” McCaffrey and Rosenthal write. “The best guess with Realmuto is that he will still re-sign with the Philadelphia Phillies, his team since 2019.”
Even with a big-spending team like Boston involved, expectations remain that Realmuto will stay put. The writers later note: “If Realmuto lands with any team other than the Phillies, it will be a surprise.”
Realmuto has been with Philadelphia since 2019, earning two All-Star selections and serving as a key piece in managing a strong pitching staff while contributing solid offense. Re-signing him is one of the Phillies’ top offseason priorities.
While other teams may also express interest, the Phillies are still considered the most likely destination for Realmuto, making a reunion the expected outcome.