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J.T. Realmuto Gets Important Free Agency Update Amid Uncertain Phillies Future

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated May 24, 2025 6:15 PM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies could view this season as their final one with this current core. With J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber hitting free agency next winter, the Phillies have to decide if they value their veterans.

At this stage of their careers, Schwarber is a better player, but that doesn't take away from what Realmuto has done. He hasn't been great offensively in recent years, but he's an elite defensive catcher, and that's valuable.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicted that the veteran will have an excellent free agency next winter, adding that he has a starting job waiting for him in free agency, something the Phillies will have to consider if they want to re-sign him.

“Realmuto has started to show his age, but it hasn’t been a precipitous decline. His home runs have dipped from 22 to 20 to 14 over the past three years, and this season, he has only four. He has kept his batting average and on-base percentage in the same neighborhood during that period but he’s no longer a Gold Glover, an award he won in 2019 and 2023, and the three-time All-Star has probably played in his last midsummer classic.

“He remains a strong game caller who can stop the running game with elite pop time and above-average caught stealing numbers, although he doesn’t grade out well in framing. A veteran catcher with his resume will have starting jobs waiting for him in free agency,” Bowden wrote.

Realmuto is currently hitting .240 with five home runs and 19 RBI. His 99 OPS+ would be the lowest in his career since his second year in the show, but about a league average OPS+ and elite defensive skills behind the dish isn't too bad for a 34-year-old.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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