The Philadelphia Phillies have to figure out who will be backing up J.T. Realmuto next season.
While some Phillies players will use spring training to ramp up for next season, position battles will be playing out as other players fight for roster spots. Philadelphia brought back Realmuto this offseason on a three-year, $45 million contract, but it’s still up in the air which one of the team’s other catchers will make the cut this spring as his backup.
Rafael Marchán primarily served as Realmuto’s backup last season since Garrett Stubbs had a minor-league option, and MLB.com’s Paul Casella believes the 26-year-old has the “initial edge” to keep that position next season.
“Similar to last year, Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs will come into camp competing to back up starter J.T. Realmuto,” Casella wrote Thursday. “Unlike last year, however, neither Marchán nor Stubbs has a Minor League option remaining. That was essentially the deciding factor last year, as Marchán did not have any options remaining and Stubbs did.
“As for this time around, barring an injury in camp, the Phillies will have to make a decision about which one they want to keep on the big league roster and which one they want to risk losing. The 26-year-old Marchán has more upside. The 32-year-old Stubbs has proven he can be a serviceable backup while also providing a boost in the clubhouse. This could be a decision that truly comes down to camp performance, though Marchán likely has the initial edge.”
Marchán took on a bigger role for the Phillies last season after Stubbs spent the three seasons before that as Realmuto’s backup, slashing .210/.282/.305 with two home runs and 13 RBIs in 42 games. Though Stubbs provides a veteran presence, Marchán is younger and has more upside. It will be interesting to watch how their position battle unfolds in spring training.
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