Philadelphia Phillies fans have no idea how this season will turn out. Heck, they don’t even know what the team will do at the trade deadline. Will they get an outfielder? A starting pitcher? A bullpen arm? All three? Nobody knows. One thing that is assured is that the team won’t stand pat. Whoever is brought in will need a roster spot, and that means someone currently on the team needs to go. Considering the fact that they’re carrying three catchers, that’s a good place to start. Neither Garrett Stubbs nor Rafael Marchán are any good, but Stubbs’ off-field qualities should give him the edge when the time comes.
Stubbs came to town in a minor trade with the Houston Astros ahead of the 2022 season and immediately endeared himself to fans and teammates alike as the squad's “chief vibes officer.” He may not have a potent bat, but he’s an integral part of the team’s clubhouse atmosphere.
While Stubbs’ intangibles have earned him a place in everyone’s hearts, his on-field production could be described by words like tepid, underwhelming, or pedestrian. In 165 games over five seasons with the Phillies, Stubbs has worked to a rough .218/.300/.313 slash line with seven home runs and nine stolen bases. The 33-year-old has worn plenty of hats, having suited up at first base, third base and in the outfield aside from catching, as well as becoming the go-to pitcher in blowout games.
Garrett Stubbs hasn't allowed a hit in three of his four pitching appearances this season. pic.twitter.com/s6BNJBUXCm
— OnPattison (@OnPattison) July 11, 2026
Unfortunately for Stubbs, he’s gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to backup catching duties over the past two years, as formerly well-regarded prospect Rafael Marchán has pushed him off the roster. Stubbs has mostly been relegated to Triple-A since then, while Marchán has put up a tragic .163/.223/.247 line in that time.
Interestingly enough, the Phillies have seen fit to carry both second-stringers over the past month-plus mostly because the club has no one else worth promoting in the minor leagues. Primary backstop J.T. Realmuto still takes the lions’ share of the reps behind the dish while Stubbs and Marchán fight over table scraps once or twice a week.
Garrett Stubbs brings more to the table off the field (in CBA negotiations) than Rafael Marchán
With the trade deadline on the horizon, that setup will likely change. If the Phillies acquire a hitter, he’ll need a roster spot, and first on the chopping block should be one of the superfluous catchers. Considering the fact that both Stubbs and Marchán can’t hit a lick, it may come down to intangibles.
Stubbs has versatility and foot speed on his side; his appearances as a pinch-runner for slugs like Kyle Schwarber are surprisingly frequent. Also in his favor is his status as the Phillies’ Major League Baseball Players Association union representative. The Californian is in his third season as the Phillies’ rep, and is on track to remain his teammates’ voice in this winter’s contentious labor negotiations between players and owners.
The gravity of the labor situation should not be lost on baseball fans, as the owners’ stated desire for a salary cap could lead to games being missed for the first time in over 30 years. With Stubbs in position to cast the Phillies players' vote on the matter, it may be worth it for the team to keep him around.
Ultimately, both Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchán are doing very little to help the Phillies win baseball games in 2026, and probably won’t for the foreseeable future. A three-catcher setup with two who can’t hit isn’t viable in the long term and that roster spot could be put to better use. When it comes time to say goodbye to one of them, it shouldn't be Garrett Stubbs.
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