ORLANDO, Fla. -- With Kyle Schwarber officially back in the fold on a five-year contract, the Phillies can now turn their full attention to the other major piece of business on their offseason board: keeping J.T. Realmuto in Philadelphia.
According to multiple reports, the Phillies have an offer on the table for the veteran catcher as negotiations continue. Club officials have long made it clear they understand the full scope of what Realmuto brings — not just the offensive production that has made him one of the sport’s most complete catchers, but the defensive workload, the game-planning, and the trust he has built with the pitching staff over six seasons in Philadelphia.
Internally, the Phillies still view Realmuto as an anchor behind the plate and a stabilizing force for a rotation that could lean more heavily on young arms in 2026 and beyond. His preparation, his ability to control the running game, and the rapport he maintains with both starters and relievers remain central to how the organization values him.
But this negotiation isn’t without complications.
Realmuto will play next season at age 35 and is coming off his worst season since his rookie year in 2015. In 134 games, he slashed .257/.315/.384 with a 94 wRC+, marking the third-lowest on-base percentage and lowest slugging percentage of his career. Evaluators around the league are weighing the same question the Phillies are: how many above-average seasons does he realistically have left?
One team clearly exploring that bet is Boston — and the interest makes sense. Carlos Narváez had a promising rookie year for the Red Sox in 2025, but he faded hard in the second half, hitting just .187 after the All-Star break.
For a club determined to push the Blue Jays and Yankees in a crowded AL East race, adding a veteran presence like Realmuto — someone who can stabilize a pitching staff and lengthen a lineup — is viewed internally as a targeted, strategic upgrade rather than a luxury swing.
Market reality only heightens the stakes. This winter’s catching class is unusually thin, with few everyday-caliber options available in free agency or trade. For a club built to contend into October, that matters. Internally, the Phillies are high on Rafael Marchán and value Garrett Stubbs as a clubhouse presence, but neither is viewed as the type of catcher who can absorb a 120–130 game workload or manage a pitching staff expected to chase another division title.
Market reality only heightens the stakes. This winter’s catching class is unusually thin, with few everyday-caliber options available in free agency or trade. For a club built to contend into October, that matters. Internally, the Phillies are high on Rafael Marchán and value Garrett Stubbs as a clubhouse presence, but neither is viewed as the type of catcher who can absorb a 120–130 game workload or manage a pitching staff expected to chase another division title.
That lack of a ready-made everyday option underscores why keeping Realmuto remains such a priority.
That combination — a shallow market, limited in-house depth, and Realmuto’s established presence — keeps him at the top of Philadelphia’s remaining offseason priorities.
Bringing back Schwarber was always the first domino. Now the Phillies hope the second one falls just as cleanly.
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