Phillies retain franchise mainstay J.T. Realmuto

The Philadelphia Phillies did not waste any time after missing out on infielder Bo Bichette in free agency.

ESPN's Jeff Passan announced on the "Pat McAfee Show" that the Phillies had agreed to terms to bring catcher J.T. Realmuto back to Philadelphia. He will reportedly receive a three-year deal worth $45 million.

The 34-year-old Realmuto had another solid showing for the Phillies in 2025. He posted a respectable .257/.315/.384 batting line in his 550 plate appearances, hitting 12 homers and 26 doubles. Realmuto was excellent defensively, saving six runs behind the plate while throwing out 29.7% of would-be basestealers (league average in 2025 was 23.2%).

Father Time starting to catch up to Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto

Although Realmuto continued to be a steady workhorse behind the plate, cracks started to show in 2025. His .384 slugging percentage and 91 OPS+ (league average is 100) were his worst marks in any full major league season. Realmuto's .700 OPS was his lowest since his rookie season in 2015.

Those cracks have begun to show defensively as well. Realmuto has thrown out just 24% of bsaestealers over the past three seasons, a mark that, while still above average, is far below his 31.8% career rate. 

Despite those concerns, the Phillies did not have much of a choice but to bring Realmuto back. Rafael Marchan and Garrett Stubbs are the only catchers on their 40-man roster and hardly inspire confidence as a primary backstop for a playoff-caliber team. Realmuto was the best option available in a weak free agent class for catchers. The Phillies best option was to bring him back to Philadelphia while hoping for a gentle decline.