J.T. Realmuto isn’t earning what the Phillies are paying him
By Jim Koch
The Philadelphia Phillies catcher is not living up to the $115.5 million contract he signed with the organization in 2021
Over a year has passed since the Philadelphia Phillies made J.T. Realmuto the highest-paid catcher in MLB history.
Following two years of on-again, off-again negotiations, Realmuto agreed to a five-year, $115.5 million deal in January of 2021. The player and his agent struck gold, but did the Phillies overpay for the so-called “best catcher in baseball”?
During his quest for a new contract, Realmuto told anyone who would listen that catchers’ salaries do not compare favorably to other positions in baseball. The three-time All-Star set out to raise the bar for himself and his peers and did exactly that with his substantial payday.
Philadelphia Phillies may be feeling “buyer’s remorse” with J.T. Realmuto
In 2021, Realmuto hit .263 with 17 home runs and 73 RBI. Those numbers are respectable, but not worth $23.1 million per year.
The 6 foot 1, 212 pound Realmuto has been a disappointment thus far in 2022 as well. Through May 29th, the veteran is hitting .247, with just three HRs and 14 RBIs. Not quite the type of production that the Phils were hoping for when they made Realmuto an extremely wealthy man.
In all fairness, Realmuto has been getting it done for Philadelphia on the defensive side of the ball in ’22. The former Miami Marlins draft pick has made just three errors from his catcher’s spot this season, registering a glowing .992 fielding percentage. Realmuto has also thrown out nine of the 17 batters who have tried to steal on him this spring.
Realmuto may be collecting money from the Phillies for past achievements. If that’s so, no one could blame owner John Middleton for feeling a bit of “buyer’s remorse” with the team’s $115 million catcher.