5 Phillies Leaving Philadelphia in the New Year
By Jovan Alford
3. J.T. Realmuto
After a down 2024 season due to injury, Realmuto could be playing his final year in Philadelphia in 2025.
The 33-year-old catcher is entering the last year of a five-year, $115.5 million contract he signed in Jan. 2021. Realmuto played in 99 games last season, the fewest games he’s played since the COVID-19 season in 2020 (47 games).
The three-time All-Star catcher underwent right knee meniscectomy surgery in June and was on the injured list for over a month. Despite playing in less than 100 games last season, Realmuto slashed .266/.322/.429 with 14 home runs and 47 RBI.
The Phillies didn’t do much in the offseason to address the catching position, which could give some insight into how they view Realmuto. Philadelphia re-signed Garrett Stubbs to a one-year, $925,000 contract to avoid arbitration and brought in Paul McIntosh through the Luzardo trade.
Neither Stubbs nor McIntosh are everyday starting-caliber catchers, which means the Phillies could bring back Realmuto depending on how he plays in 2025. Or the Phillies could replace Realmuto at the end of the 2025 season, but the catcher free agent market isn’t appealing.
Therefore, the Phillies hope Realmuto can return to his All-Star form in 2025 as he plays a huge part in the lineup’s success.