As we careen toward the MLB Winter Meetings next week, we should start to see more free agent signings and even some more trades going down as the offseason starts to kick into high gear. The Philadelphia Phillies still have yet to make a real move, with free agents J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber still unsigned.
One of the Phillies’ top goals this winter is to re-sign the veteran backstop Realmuto. There is competition for the catcher, however, as he is by far the top free agent at the position. But as we learned on Thursday, at least one competitor has dropped out of the race when it was reported that the Texas Rangers won’t be making a move for Realmuto.
Rangers drop out of J.T. Realmuto chase, Phillies’ chances get better
Ken Rosenthal and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic report that the Rangers don’t have the payroll flexibility to make a deal with Realmuto (subscription required), at least according to their team sources.
Aside from their bullpen, Texas also needs to find a replacement for the recently non-tendered Jonah Heim. The catcher who led the Rangers to the 2023 World Series has fallen on hard times and was cut loose on Nov. 21.
But even with a gaping hole behind the plate, Realmuto’s projected two-year, $30 million free agent contract will be too rich for the Rangers. Their recent trade for outfielder Brandon Nimmo might be their biggest move of the season, say Rosenthal and Mooney.
Realmuto, who’s heading into his age-35 season, has also reportedly received interest from the Boston Red Sox and, surprisingly, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Not that everyone was buying into the Rangers, and even the Pirates, as serious competitors. There are undoubtedly still other teams who have contacted Realmuto’s camp to inquire about the three-time All-Star’s services.
Still, many around baseball believe that the Phillies remain the favorites to bring Realmuto back.
He’s coming of a season that saw him hit just .257 with a .700 OPS, his lowest mark since 2015. Missing power, he hit 12 home runs in 134 games. The last time he played more than 130 games, in 2023, he rounded the bases 20 times.
If the Phillies do retain Realmuto, they’ll be hoping for a bounce-back season at the plate to some degree. Even if his bat remains diminished, his value leading the pitching staff will make the estimated $15 million per season well worth it.