The Philadelphia Phillies will have some key players hit free agency when the season ends, and they may not be able to keep all of them.
Most notably, the Phillies will see J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber hit the open market. Schwarber is having an MVP-caliber season and will demand a new lucrative deal. Meanwhile, Realmuto’s numbers have declined, but he is still a workhorse behind the plate.
With both players likely looking for lucrative deals, the Phillies may prioritize Schwarber. BALLCAP Sports’ Jim Riley predicted Realmuto would leave and sign with the Texas Rangers.
“The Jonah Heim situation has reached a point where I could see them non-tendering him a contract and forgoing that final year of arbitration,” Riley said. “It’s gotten that bad with Heim and the bat and his work behind the plate. Give me the Rangers for J.T. Realmuto.”
Realmuto is still a great defensive catcher. He has the best pop time in baseball, according to Baseball Savant. He also does not take many days off behind the plate. Offensively, he is slashing .265/.327/.396 with just 11 home runs.
He is a three-time Silver Slugger and three-time All-Star. Even if he is no longer in his prime, he would be an upgrade at catcher for the Rangers. Heim is among the worst defensive catchers in baseball this season.
For the Phillies, they would be losing a veteran player and a leader. However, they would be foolish to try and keep Realmuto around if it could cost them Schwarber.
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