The Philadelphia Phillies reached the World Series in 2022 but haven’t returned since, and their last three postseasons have been disappointing despite a roster loaded with star talent. This offseason, the team faces several important free-agent decisions, with Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Ranger Suárez all hitting the open market — each expected to attract significant interest.
Realmuto, in particular, showed signs of decline last season, which could affect his priority level for the Phillies. Still, the 12-year veteran remains strong defensively, ranking in the 99th percentile for pop time and the 95th percentile for caught-stealing above average, according to Baseball Savant. At 34 years old, securing a long-term deal may be difficult, and Just Baseball’s Ryan Finkelstein projected Realmuto could land a two-year, $24 million contract with the San Diego Padres.
“Realmuto is the kind of veteran leader who can elevate a team, which makes it quite possible he returns to Philadelphia for another run,” Finkelstein wrote Friday. “Another intriguing option for him is San Diego, where he could provide an upgrade over Freddy Fermin.”
Last season, Realmuto slashed .257/.315/.384 with 12 home runs across 134 games. Even in a down year, he outperformed Fermin. The Padres already boast a loaded roster and are expected to contend for the World Series, and adding Realmuto alongside stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill could give them the boost needed to take the next step.