The Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly reached an agreement to re-sign catcher J.T. Realmuto, according to a source cited by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The deal is said to be for three years and $45 million, with the possibility of earning an additional $5 million in incentives each year. The team has not officially confirmed the contract.
This move follows shortly after free-agent target Bo Bichette agreed to a three-year, $126 million contract with the New York Mets. Reports indicate that the Phillies had offered Bichette a seven-year, $200 million deal but were ultimately unsuccessful in securing his signature.
Some within the organization believed an agreement with Bichette was imminent before learning otherwise. The decision to bring back Realmuto accelerated after Bichette signed elsewhere. Realmuto, who will turn 35 in March, will see a decrease from his previous average annual salary of $23.1 million under his last five-year, $115.5 million contract.
With this signing, the Phillies have now retained two of their top three free agents this offseason—Kyle Schwarber being the other, having signed a five-year, $150 million deal earlier in December.
Ranger Suárez was another player the club hoped to keep; however, he agreed to a five-year, $130 million contract with the Boston Red Sox earlier this week. Other significant free-agent moves around Major League Baseball included Kyle Tucker’s reported four-year, $240 million agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Phillies’ pursuit of both Bichette and Realmuto was unlikely due to roster considerations. If Bichette had joined Philadelphia, it may have prompted a trade involving third baseman Alec Bohm to make room for him on the infield.
While Realmuto may not offer as much offensive production as Bichette would have provided, his return is expected to benefit Philadelphia’s pitching staff significantly. Without him, catching duties would likely have fallen to Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs or required bringing in an external candidate from limited options available.
Realmuto remains recognized for his defensive skills and durability behind home plate despite coming off a less productive offensive season. Since joining Philadelphia in 2019, he has caught more innings than any other catcher during that period.
The team’s projected 2026 roster is taking shape following these developments. Alongside Realmuto at catcher are returning starters Bryce Harper (first base), Bryson Stott (second base), Trea Turner (shortstop), and Alec Bohm (third base). The starting rotation will include Zack Wheeler (once healthy), Cristopher Sánchez, Aaron Nola, Jesús Luzardo, Taijuan Walker and potentially prospect Andrew Painter.
In the outfield, Adolis GarcÃa is set for right field after signing a one-year deal; Justin Crawford could compete for center field; left field might feature Brandon Marsh sharing time with right-handed bat Otto Kemp unless further moves are made.
Veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos is expected to depart before next season as both parties seek a change of scenery for 2026; no trade partner has yet been found. Options remain open for additional outfield signings depending on market developments involving other free agents like Austin Hays or Harrison Bader.
Further changes this offseason are anticipated to be minor following Realmuto’s new deal.
The Philadelphia Phillies are one of Major League Baseball’s oldest franchises and play home games at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia since 2004 (official website). They serve fans regionally and nationally through games and community outreach initiatives (official website). As charter members of MLB’s National League dating back to their founding in 1883 (official website), they have won multiple league titles including World Series championships in 1980 and 2008 (official website).
