The veteran Phillies’ proposed trade chip makes no sense given the 2025 goals

As Major League Baseball’s offseason heads toward the annual Winter Meetings in Dallas in a few weeks, many players from across the league have been mentioned as possible trade candidates, many of whom end up not being traded.

Alec Bohm, one of the Philadelphia Phillies players who has been mentioned time and time again and is actually on the trade list, seems like a safe bet for a move this winter. The team has made no effort to quell rumors since ESPN’s Jeff Passan announced the idea.

Other names have joined Bohm trade rumors. Outfielders Nick Castellanos and Brandon Marsh, second baseman Bryson Stott and left-hander Ranger Suárez, as well as a handful of Phillies prospects – including Justin Crawford – have all been mentioned as possible trade candidates.

Trading JT Realmuto makes no sense given the Phillies’ 2025 goals

However, a particular Phillies player who has been mentioned as a trade candidate doesn’t make sense for a Phillies team eyeing a return to the World Series in 2025. Starting catcher JT Realmuto was picked by an anonymous MLB manager as a top trade candidate in Jesse Rogers’ recent piece for ESPN.

“One manager believes it could happen if Dave Dombrowski wants to shake things up after exiting the Division Series in October,” Rogers writes. “According to our voter, Realmuto could be the most tradeable player on the Phillies roster other than Bohm.”

While it makes sense to move a piece like Bohm — he can be replaced — it doesn’t make sense for the Phillies to trade their No. 1 catcher. Yes, the 33-year-old is entering the final season of his five-year, $115.5 million contract, but even if the Phillies were to trade the three-time All-Star this winter, it would be hard to magically replace him Team both at and behind the plate.

Even though Realmuto is coming off a down year in 2024, largely due to a knee injury, there is no reason to believe he won’t bounce back in 2025. Since his Phillies debut in 2019, his fWAR of 23.2 is the highest among MLB catchers.

Phillies don’t have a JT Realmuto replacement ready

It’s not like the Phillies have an heir apparent waiting in the wings to take over the role right away.

Garrett Stubbs, a backup the past three seasons, agreed to a one-year deal for 2025 last week before the non-tender deadline, but that doesn’t guarantee him a spot on next season’s roster. Frankly, he doesn’t have the offensive skills necessary to be an MLB starting catcher.

Rafael Marchán, who the Phillies gave a gig, albeit a small one, in 2024, has a lot to prove. With a robust injury history and limited MLB exposure, he’s not someone the Phillies can rely on right now despite his stronger bat.

The Phillies’ top catcher, Eduardo Tait, appears to be the real deal and possibly the catcher of the future. However, he is still 18 years old and only played as high as Single-A in his first year as a professional in the United States last season.

So unless the Phillies trade for another top catcher, a move for Realmuto doesn’t seem logical if they want to remain a National League contender next year. Even though his contract expires after the 2025 season, leaving him off the roster doesn’t make the Phillies any better.

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