Just days after signing right fielder Adolis García, the Philadelphia Phillies continued to add depth to their roster with the signing of reliever Brad Keller on Wednesday for two years and $22 million. The Phillies announced that Keller's deal had been finalized on Thursday evening, but they still have room to make more moves.
A blockbuster signing of another star free agent, such as Alex Bregman, would be great, but it isn't expected to happen. Philadelphia needs to figure out who will be its starting catcher in 2026 and could still add depth players at other positions.
Following the addition of García, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that the team's outfield is set, and their main focus is now the catcher position, specifically, re-signing J.T. Realmuto (subscription required).
Here are two moves the Phillies can still make after adding Keller to the bullpen.
2 free agents that the Phillies can still sign following the Brad Keller deal
J.T. Realmuto
Re-signing Realmuto is one of the big moves that has the best chance of transpiring. While still solid defensively, Realmuto continues to decline as a hitter.
He hit .257/.315/.384 with a .699 OPS this year, his lowest since 2015. The veteran finished with 12 home runs, 52 RBIs in 134 games. Other than his .257 batting average, all the other totals were lower than his 2023 stats, when he played a similar number of games (135).
He is the top free agent catcher this winter. It would be unexpected if he didn't re-sign with the Phillies. They have offered him a contract, and it is up to him to decide if he wants to return to the franchise where he has played for the last seven seasons.
TWO-RUN TRIPLE FOR J.T. REALMUTO!
— MLB (@MLB) October 4, 2025
THE @PHILLIES STRIKE FIRST! #NLDS pic.twitter.com/xXmCURKk5r
The Del City, Oklahoma, native's next deal isn't expected to be for four years, the length of his previous deal. Realmuto is projected to agree to a contract for two seasons. If his next contract isn't with Philadelphia, Dombrowski will need to have a Plan B ready to carry out, which could be trading for a younger backstop.
Danny Jansen signed a two-year deal that includes a mutual option for 2028 with the Texas Rangers. The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year contract with James McCann. Besides Realmuto, the available free agent options remaining at the position aren't enticing. The Phillies would be better off finding a replacement via trade if he doesn't re-sign. However, fans should anticipate the veteran catcher to be back with Philadelphia on a new short-term deal.
Tatsuya Imai
Tatsuya Imai is one of the free agents who have been posted from Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan. He totaled a 1.92 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP in 24 games over 163 2/3 innings with the Saitama Seibu Lions this year. He finished with 178 strikeouts, allowed 45 walks, and 35 earned runs.
The Phillies had good depth in their starting rotation at the start of the 2025 season, and they still could have benefited from trading for another pitcher at the trade deadline as their rotation took a hit in late August with Zack Wheeler's season coming to an end due to injury and the ongoing struggles of veteran Aaron Nola. While they don't have a pressing need to sign another starter this winter, signing Imai would be an addition that wouldn't be deemed unnecessary.
Philadelphia is expected to lose Ranger Suárez in free agency, and it is uncertain if veteran Taijuan Walker or prospect Andrew Painter can make up for the loss of the left-hander in 2026. The Phillies should sign Imai as insurance for the rotation in the event of injury. The addition would also help with potential future signings of other Japanese free agents from NPB.
Wheeler may not be ready for the beginning of the regular season at the end of March after undergoing thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September. The Japanese right-hander is another starter that manager Rob Thomson can turn to if Walker or Painter struggles in the rotation.
Imai would be a good pitcher in the mid-to-end of the Phillies' rotation at the start of next year. While Painter has the most long-term potential to make up for the loss of Suárez, the 27-year-old Imai is the best option between him, Painter, and Walker that could immediately lessen the sting.