Philadelphia Phillies: 5 potential J.T. Realmuto suitors still out there
By David Esser
![Feb 21, 2020; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) catches during workouts at Spectrum Field Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports Feb 21, 2020; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) catches during workouts at Spectrum Field Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d5235483320d5a225696bb5159e6f9f173cf91ad14cb61d770122efc2612bef4.jpg)
Toronto Blue Jays
At the moment, the Blue Jays’ top priority appears to be landing free agent outfielder George Springer. However, I wouldn’t completely rule them out of the Realmuto conversation just quite yet.
Similar to some of the other teams I’ve highlighted, the Blue Jays’ interest in Realmuto likely rests on their ability/inability to land their top free agent target. Toronto seems destined to sign a big-money player at some point this winter, regardless of how things play out with Springer. If the former Astro ultimately heads to New York (or another team), the Blue Jays could totally turn their attention to someone of Realmuto’s caliber.
The Blue Jays are a hungry team who just got their first taste of playoff action since 2016. They’re looking to capitalize on some of their key young stars (Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.), and adding Realmuto to the fold could secure their place in the postseason for another few years.
J.T. gives them a middle-of-the-order bat to pair alongside Guerrero Jr., and he would obviously help improve the team’s defense by a pretty wide margin. The Philadelphia Phillies should in theory be able to beat any offer that Toronto tosses out there, but it’s unclear how far owner John Middleton is willing to go to retain his All-Star backstop.