Phillies Re-Sign J.T. Realmuto After Bo Bichette Misses Out, Move from Blockbuster to Conservative Deal
The Philadelphia Phillies have pulled the plug on their pursuit of free-agent infielder Bo Bichette, instead opting for a more conservative approach with catcher J.T. Realmuto, according to sources familiar with the deal. The move was predictable, considering the market value and risk associated with landing an All-Star caliber player in a deep outfield.
In December, Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski touted Realmuto as the team's top priority, alongside DH Kyle Schwarber. At the time, a contract was reportedly on the table for Realmuto, who had become a fan favorite. However, after re-signing Schwarber to a blockbuster deal, Realmuto took a backseat as the Phillies searched for an upgrade in the outfield.
With Bichette turning down a lucrative offer from the Phillies to sign with the Mets, it became clear that Realmuto was no longer a priority. The catcher's market value plummeted after his performance declined last season, and he is now 35 years old, which will impact his ability to contribute as a power hitter.
The Phillies have agreed on a three-year deal worth $45 million for Realmuto, with an option for him to reach $60 million. While the offer may seem modest compared to Bichette's potential salary, it represents a significant paycut from Realmuto's previous contract and still leaves the team with some financial flexibility to address their offense.
Realmuto's re-signing has sparked debate among fans about whether he is worth the investment, particularly given his age and declining power numbers. However, the Phillies believe that Realmuto's defensive skills will remain a valuable asset to the franchise, as evidenced by his two Gold Gloves in seven seasons with the team. His ability to handle one of MLB's best pitching staffs will undoubtedly be an advantage for the Phillies.
The deal represents a calculated move by the Phillies to shore up their lineup and address concerns about Realmuto's power numbers. While he may not be the star player that Bichette would have been, Realmuto remains a proven commodity who has transformed the team since his arrival in 2019. With this signing, the Phillies are looking towards the future while also addressing the present concerns surrounding their lineup.
The Philadelphia Phillies have pulled the plug on their pursuit of free-agent infielder Bo Bichette, instead opting for a more conservative approach with catcher J.T. Realmuto, according to sources familiar with the deal. The move was predictable, considering the market value and risk associated with landing an All-Star caliber player in a deep outfield.
In December, Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski touted Realmuto as the team's top priority, alongside DH Kyle Schwarber. At the time, a contract was reportedly on the table for Realmuto, who had become a fan favorite. However, after re-signing Schwarber to a blockbuster deal, Realmuto took a backseat as the Phillies searched for an upgrade in the outfield.
With Bichette turning down a lucrative offer from the Phillies to sign with the Mets, it became clear that Realmuto was no longer a priority. The catcher's market value plummeted after his performance declined last season, and he is now 35 years old, which will impact his ability to contribute as a power hitter.
The Phillies have agreed on a three-year deal worth $45 million for Realmuto, with an option for him to reach $60 million. While the offer may seem modest compared to Bichette's potential salary, it represents a significant paycut from Realmuto's previous contract and still leaves the team with some financial flexibility to address their offense.
Realmuto's re-signing has sparked debate among fans about whether he is worth the investment, particularly given his age and declining power numbers. However, the Phillies believe that Realmuto's defensive skills will remain a valuable asset to the franchise, as evidenced by his two Gold Gloves in seven seasons with the team. His ability to handle one of MLB's best pitching staffs will undoubtedly be an advantage for the Phillies.
The deal represents a calculated move by the Phillies to shore up their lineup and address concerns about Realmuto's power numbers. While he may not be the star player that Bichette would have been, Realmuto remains a proven commodity who has transformed the team since his arrival in 2019. With this signing, the Phillies are looking towards the future while also addressing the present concerns surrounding their lineup.
. Realmuto's still a solid catcher and he's gonna bring stability to that position. But let's be real, 35 is old for a catcher and his power numbers took a hit last season 
. The Phillies did the smart thing by offering him a more conservative deal and keeping some financial flexibility for next year 
. I mean, they're not gonna break the bank on anyone right now 
. They gotta build for the future without overspending on one player. And honestly, Realmuto's been good for them in the past, so it's hard to argue with the move 
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but i think realmuto is a solid choice for them he's still got that gold glove defensive magic 
and his experience handling pitching staffs will be huge in the postseason. plus, the 3-yr deal is pretty reasonable considering his age and power decline 
45mil + opt-out clause to 60mil seems like a win-win to me 
plus they didnt wanna pay bo bichette 10 mil per year lol that was a stretch even for phils fans 
That Gold Glove pedigree isn't something you can replicate overnight. Plus, the Phillies got a steal with that $45 million offer... it's not like they're breaking the bank or anything 
. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY WENT FOR A MORE CONSERVATIVE APPROACH, WHICH IS PRETTY UNDERSTANDABLE GIVING HIS AGE AND DECLINING POWER NUMBERS 
. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU CAN'T DENY THAT REALMUTO'S DEFENSIVE SKILLS ARE STILL GOING TO BE A MAJOR PLUS FOR THE TEAM 
. I MEAN, TWO GOLD GLOVES IN SEVEN SEASONS? THAT'S NO CHUMP! 