Mets amid ‘serious push’ for James McCann, not J.T. Realmuto

The Phillies may soon no longer be competing with the Mets for J.T. Realmuto.

The Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets are still in competing headlines against each other, even during the offseason. Both teams need a starting catcher, and have long been believed to have their sights set on the top-two free-agents at the position, J.T. Realmuto and James McCann.

The Phillies, of course, would love to retain Realmuto, but they reportedly will target McCann if the “best catcher in baseball” signs elsewhere. They might not have competition to sign Realmuto from the Mets after all, however.

According to FanSided’s Robert Murray, the Mets are in “active talks” with McCann, and that while a deal is not yet close, it is “looking increasingly” that a deal would involve four years. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman describes the Mets’ pursuit of McCann as a “serious push,” adding: “[McCann] has several serious suitors but Mets are among teams most involved.”

The perceived success of the Phillies offseason, at least among fans, is largely dependent on whether Realmuto is brought back for at least a third season in red pinstripes. The Mets reportedly prioritizing their efforts to sign McCann over him is a step in a positive direction for Realmuto to be re-signed.

Of course, there would still be other competition for Realmuto, such as the St. Louis Cardinals as they potentially move on from Yadier Molina. However, one would have to think the Phillies’ chances to compete with any other remaining suitors for Realmuto would be greater than if the deep-pocketed Mets were still in the mix.

McCann would be a nice option B for the Phillies as their starting catcher in 2021; if McCann joins the Mets on a multi-year deal as rumored, he surely will cause trouble for the team’s pitching. Yet, potentially having Realmuto be able to return would surely make up for that.