Two of the Philadelphia Phillies’ key players will be hitting free agency this offseason. J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber will both be free agents, and Realmuto’s time with the team may be coming to an end.
Realmuto signed a five-year, $115 million deal with the Phillies in 2021. However, he is now 34 years old and showing signs of decline. On Pattison’s Anthony SanFilippo noted that the team could still want him back, but if he isn’t willing to sign a shorter, team-friendly deal, then they would be fine moving on.
“If he’s willing to take a short-term deal for a team-friendly salary, then he could easily be back and be the bridge to Tait,” wrote SanFilippo. “A lot of people want to compare it to the contract Yadier Molina signed with the St. Louis Cardinals entering his age-35 season — which was for three years and $60 million in 2018.
“With inflation that would likely be in the neighborhood of three years and $70 million going into 2026,” he continued. “I’m not sure I’d make that much of an investment.
“However, if he thinks he still has value equal to or beyond that contract structure, the Phillies may move on and find a way to bring in another veteran catcher to serve as a tandem with Rafael Marchan until (Eduardo) Tait is ready.”
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Realmuto is hitting .223 this season with five home runs. Last season, he failed to hit 20 home runs after doing so in the previous two seasons. He has been with the Phillies since 2019. He is a three-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger and two-time Gold Glove Award winner.
If Realmuto was the only free agent the team was worried about losing, the decision would be slightly easier. However, Schwarber is likely the team’s top priority between the two.
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