J.T. Realmuto’s Offseason Raises Eyebrows, but Phillies Still Betting on His Value Behind the Plate
The Phillies’ offseason didn’t exactly unfold the way many fans hoped. After missing out on Bo Bichette-who opted for the Mets in a move that sent ripples through the NL East-Philadelphia quickly pivoted back to a familiar face: J.T.
Realmuto. The veteran catcher inked a new three-year, $45 million deal that’s sparked plenty of conversation, and not all of it has been positive.
Let’s be real-this wasn’t the splashy, headline-grabbing move Phillies fans were waiting for. Realmuto will be 35 by Opening Day, and he’s coming off the least productive offensive season of his career.
That’s not exactly the profile of a player who typically commands $15 million a year, with the potential to earn up to $20 million annually through performance bonuses. So, naturally, eyebrows were raised.
Adding fuel to the fire, Realmuto was left off MLB Network’s “Top 10 Catchers Right Now” list, compiled by The Shredder, their data-driven ranking system. That’s a stark contrast from just a few seasons ago, when Realmuto was a fixture at the top of that list.
From 2021 through 2023, he was the consensus No. 1 catcher in baseball. Now?
He’s not even in the conversation.
The Decline at the Plate
Realmuto’s offensive numbers in 2025 tell a clear story. He posted a .257 batting average with a .700 OPS and an 89 OPS+, adding 12 home runs and 52 RBIs across 134 games. For context, those numbers are below league average for a hitter, and they represent a steady decline from his All-Star form in 2021 and his Gold Glove/Silver Slugger campaign in 2022.
Over the past three seasons, he’s combined for a .257/.736 slash line with a 100 OPS+-essentially league average-and ranks 13th among qualified catchers in OPS and fWAR (6.1). That’s a long way from the elite production that once made him the gold standard at the position.
Still Elite in Key Areas
But here’s the thing: Realmuto’s value isn’t just about the bat. Even with the offensive slide, he remains one of the best in the game at controlling the running game.
In fact, he posted the fastest pop time to second base last season-still elite, still a weapon. That kind of defensive prowess doesn’t always show up in highlight reels or fantasy stats, but it matters.
A lot.
And while his pitch framing and blocking have slipped, the Phillies clearly believe his leadership behind the plate-especially his ability to work with the pitching staff-is worth the investment. That’s harder to quantify, but it’s something teams put a premium on, especially with a veteran group of arms and postseason aspirations in play.
The Contract: Risk, Reward, and Incentives
Realmuto’s new deal is structured with incentives that could push the annual value from $15 million to $20 million. That might sound steep, but those bonuses are tied to high-level performance benchmarks: $2 million for being voted an All-Star by fans, $1 million for a league selection, $1 million each for a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, and $2 million for a top-10 NL MVP finish.
In other words, if Realmuto hits any of those marks, he’ll have earned every extra dollar. And if he hits multiple? The Phillies will gladly foot the bill.
What This Means for 2026
The reality is, Realmuto’s days as the best catcher in baseball may be behind him-but that doesn’t mean he can’t still be a valuable piece for the Phillies. If he can stabilize his offensive production, continue to control the running game, and guide a pitching staff that’s built to contend, then this deal could age better than many expect.
And if he manages to turn back the clock and earn one of those performance bonuses? Don’t be surprised if The Shredder finds room for him in next year’s top 10.
For now, though, Realmuto’s not chasing rankings-he’s chasing wins. And in Philadelphia, that’s the only list that really matters.