The 2025 MLB season is setting up to be a big year for several Philadelphia Phillies veterans, including J.T. Realmuto. The beloved catcher is about to enter the final season of the five-year, $115.5 million contract he signed with the Phillies in January 2021, leaving time to tell if the two sides will hammer out an extension.
After missing a good chunk of the 2024 campaign due to injury, Realmuto will likely need to prove himself before being awarded a new deal. Fortunately, it looks like the two sides are eyeing a potential extension as Opening Day quickly approaches.
Phillies Discussing Potential JT Realmuto Contract Extension
During Monday's interview with SportsRadio 94WIP, Realmuto revealed that he's already discussed a potential contract extension with the Phillies.
"There have been some talks (about an extension)," Realmuto admitted. "I'll keep the content of those talks to myself just because I'm more of a private person. But I'm open to anything."
J.T. Realmuto says he has had talks with the Phillies about a potential contract extension. He’s “open to anything” and loves Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/eHhfYvqtTE
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) March 17, 2025
Realmuto added that it doesn't matter whether an extension comes during spring training or later in the regular season. The three-time MLB All-Star simply wants to stay in Philadelphia, which has become quite the home for his family throughout the last six seasons.
"My family loves it here. We being part of this organization," Realmuto said. "This is one of the few organizations in baseball that really takes care of their players. They're first class and they try to win every season, so, obviously, it's a place that we want to be and it's a place we've enjoyed being so far."
The Phillies' outlook at the catcher position is thin, which is why the fanbase is all for extending Realmuto. The former 2010 third-rounder has continued being one of the MLB's top catchers since arriving in Phill, racking up 109 home runs, 382 RBIs, 208 walks, 65 stolen bases, a .266/.331/.463 slash line, and 22.4 WAR in 699 appearances since 2019.
That's without mentioning how he picked up two All-Star nods along with a pair of Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards throughout that time. He even finished seventh in the 2022 National League MVP race.
Nevertheless, a potential extension could hinge on Realmuto's bounce-back ability. A pesky knee injury limited the Del City, OK native to 99 appearances in 2024, resulting in 14 HRs, 47 RBIs, and 27 walks with his lowest OPS (.751) since the 2016 campaign.
At the end of the day, Philadelphia will need a fully healthy and productive Realmuto to compete with the rest of the MLB's contenders. For now, the Phillies will head into Opening Day with the fourth-best 2025 World Series odds (+1000) on FanDuel Sportsbook.
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