The Phillies didn’t let their catcher situation linger for long this offseason. After J.T.
Realmuto briefly hit the free agent market, Philadelphia made sure their cornerstone behind the plate didn’t stay unsigned for long, bringing back the three-time All-Star on a three-year, $45 million deal. That move locked in the starter, but the backup catcher job?
That’s still very much up for grabs heading into spring training.
Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchán are the two names to watch as camp opens, and both are entering what feels like a pivotal spring. The Phillies won’t carry three catchers on the Opening Day roster, so one of them is likely to be the odd man out. And with no injuries currently altering the equation, this is shaping up to be a true head-to-head battle.
Let’s break it down.
Marchán vs. Stubbs: A Tale of Two Backups
Rafael Marchán, at 26, is the younger of the two and brings more upside with the bat. Last season, he logged 42 games for the Phillies, starting 30 of them, and showed enough offensive promise to warrant a longer look. He’s not just a depth piece - he’s a catcher who could grow into a more significant role if given the opportunity.
Stubbs, on the other hand, is the veteran at 32. He’s been around the block and has earned a reputation as a steady, reliable presence behind the plate.
He didn’t start a game last season and only made five appearances, but his value goes beyond the box score. Stubbs is known for his clubhouse presence - a glue guy, someone who keeps the energy up and the team loose over the grind of a 162-game season.
So the Phillies are facing a classic spring training dilemma: Do you go with the higher ceiling in Marchán, or the proven veteran leadership of Stubbs?
Right now, Marchán seems to have the early edge. He’s younger, more dynamic offensively, and coming off a season where he got meaningful reps.
But this is baseball, and spring training has a way of flipping scripts. If Stubbs shows up and outperforms Marchán in camp, the decision might not be so clear-cut.
Depth Move: Dylan Moore Joins the Mix
While the catcher battle grabs headlines, the Phillies quietly made another move to bolster their depth - signing veteran utility man Dylan Moore to a minor league deal with a spring training invite. It’s a low-risk, high-upside play for a team looking to reinforce its bench options.
Moore, 33, brings versatility in spades. He’s played over 100 games at both second base and shortstop and has experience in the outfield corners. That kind of flexibility is gold for managers trying to navigate injuries and matchups over a long season.
The deal includes performance incentives that could push Moore’s earnings up to $3.25 million, depending on how much time he spends on the active roster and how many plate appearances he racks up.
Moore has spent the majority of his big league career with the Seattle Mariners, debuting in 2019 and sticking around for seven seasons before being released last August. He quickly latched on with the Texas Rangers, and now he’s looking to carve out a role in Philadelphia. His career slash line sits at .206/.310/.383 with a 97 OPS+ - not eye-popping numbers, but serviceable for a bench piece who can play just about anywhere.
What It All Means for the Phillies
Bringing Realmuto back was the big move - the one that keeps the Phillies’ core intact. But the smaller roster decisions, like who backs him up and who fills out the bench, will matter just as much over the course of the season.
Marchán and Stubbs are both capable, but only one will likely head north with the team when camp breaks. And with Moore now in the mix, the Phillies have added another layer of flexibility - and competition - to their spring roster.
It’s shaping up to be an intriguing camp in Clearwater. The stars are set, but the supporting cast is still being written.