The Philadelphia Phillies are still awaiting a decision from catcher J.T. Realmuto. While he’s no longer at the peak of his career, he remains a player the team likely still needs.
Nothing has been finalized regarding Realmuto, but league-wide expectations haven’t shifted much, as a reunion continues to feel like the most probable outcome.
Realmuto has long been a key piece of the Phillies’ core. Pitchers trust him, and he’s well respected in the clubhouse. For a team firmly in win-now mode, having a reliable catcher is more important than it’s often given credit for.
That’s not to say the Phillies haven’t explored alternatives, but the other options appear more like fallback choices rather than ideal solutions.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic recently provided an update on the situation, outlining a few potential fits.
“One of these days, the Phillies will get a resolution on free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto. A reunion still appears the most likely outcome, unless the Phillies want to trade for a catcher such as Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers or sign a free agent such as Victor Caratini,” Rosenthal wrote.
Acquiring Jeffers would require giving up prospects, and while he’s a solid player, he doesn’t move the needle much. Caratini is serviceable as well, but similarly uninspiring.
Ultimately, the safest option for Philadelphia would be to bring Realmuto back, even if it’s on a short-term contract.