Phillies can't re-sign J.T. Realmuto due to coronavirus-related money losses?

The Philadelphia Phillies will be forced to search for a new catcher, preferably one who comes at a much lower price than two-time All-Star J.T. Realmuto. 

According to Bill Madden of the New York Daily News, Phillies owner John Middleton revealed last week that the franchise isn't in a position to re-sign Realmuto, or any big-name free agents, due to coronavirus-related losses totaling nearly $2 billion. 

Realmuto spent the last two seasons in Philadelphia after being traded to the club by the Miami Marlins in February 2019. The 29-year-old could now end up with a number of teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and the New York Mets, who have shown plenty of interest in him. 

The Gold Glover is among the top free agents available at any position this offseason and won't come cheap after two solid seasons with the Phillies. He averaged .273 at the plate with 115 RBI and 36 home runs in two years with the franchise.

With Realmuto off the table, the Phillies will most likely have to rely on Andrew Knapp and Rafael Marchan behind the plate, unless they make a trade or sign a cheap catcher in free agency.