Phillies Explore Catching Trade Market with Realmuto Still Unsigned

The Philadelphia Phillies are walking a delicate line behind the plate this offseason. They’re weighing their desire to re-sign star catcher J.T. Realmuto against the risk of being left short-handed at baseball’s most demanding position.

Free agency is thinning out, and internal options offer more questions than answers. The organization is quietly exploring trade alternatives, though they still treat a Realmuto reunion as the preferred outcome.

Phillies Prioritize Realmuto, But No Deal Yet

The Phillies have made it clear: bringing back J.T. Realmuto is the top priority at catcher. He’s the centerpiece of their plans, both for his steady work behind the plate and his impact in the lineup.

Philadelphia seems comfortable with a multi-year commitment. But the two sides haven’t met in the middle on contract terms yet.

Until dollars and years line up, there’s no guarantee Realmuto will be back in red pinstripes. That uncertainty shapes everything the front office does this winter.

Why Realmuto Still Matters So Much

Realmuto’s value goes beyond box-score production. He handles a veteran pitching staff, controls the running game, and absorbs a heavy workload at a position where most contenders use a timeshare.

For a club in a win-now window, keeping stability at catcher feels critical.

Trade Explorations Begin as Backup Plan

Since there’s no agreement in place, the Phillies have started exploratory trade conversations for alternative catching options. These talks are more about due diligence than imminent action, but they show a front office preparing for multiple scenarios.

Nothing is close at this stage. The organization still expects Realmuto to be the likeliest outcome.

The fact that names are being discussed, though, underscores the risk of waiting too long in a shrinking market.

Potential Trade Targets on the Radar

The Phillies have at least checked in on several possible trade candidates, including:

None of these options provide Realmuto’s all-around profile. They do represent different blends of defense, cost control, and short-term reliability if the Phillies have to pivot.

Free-Agent Market Offers Limited Solutions

If the Phillies don’t secure Realmuto, their alternatives in free agency are already thinning — and fast. The catching market this winter is shallow, especially for teams looking for a clear-cut starter.

Danny Jansen, one of the more attractive free-agent options, has already signed elsewhere. That move removes a potential fallback and increases pressure on teams still shopping for catchers.

Victor Caratini and the Risk of Waiting

Victor Caratini is one of the few remaining free agents with enough experience to approximate a starter. But he’s widely viewed as a strong backup rather than a true No. 1.

For a club with championship aspirations, putting full-time duties on Caratini would be a compromise, not a solution. There’s also a timing issue: if the Phillies wait too long on Realmuto and Caratini signs elsewhere, they could get pushed toward the trade market out of necessity.

That scenario could mean paying a premium in prospects just to fill the position. It’s a tough spot to be in.

Internal Options Raise More Questions Than Answers

In-house, the Phillies have two familiar names in the mix: Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs. Both are currently viewed as backup-level catchers, not everyday anchors for a contender.

Marchán offers some intrigue as a glove-first catcher who might grow into a starting role. But asking him to shoulder the load right away in a season with high expectations would be a substantial gamble.

Stubbs brings energy and clubhouse value, yet he profiles squarely as a reserve. It’s hard to imagine the team rolling with just these two.

Roster Constraints Complicate the Picture

Both Marchán and Stubbs are out of minor league options. The Phillies can’t send them to Triple-A without first passing them through waivers.

That reality creates a roster squeeze if the Phillies re-sign Realmuto and add another catcher via free agency or trade. The club risks losing one or both backups for nothing if they’re exposed to waivers before Opening Day.

That kind of asset drain is especially inefficient, given Realmuto’s history of heavy workloads. It already limits opportunities for secondary catchers, so losing depth would sting even more.

Balancing Urgency With Patience

Right now, the Phillies’ strategy feels like a cautious balancing act. They’re doing their homework on the trade front and keeping tabs on the free-agent board.

Still, they seem to lean heavily toward a Realmuto reunion. That’s probably the most logical and impactful path, at least in their eyes.

But the clock’s ticking. Every signing elsewhere narrows the field of alternatives.

As Philadelphia pushes to maximize its current competitive window, the next few weeks could be pivotal. How they resolve the catcher position might shape the pitching staff’s comfort level—and, honestly, the whole vibe of their 2025 season.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Phillies Evaluating Catching Trade Market