It's been a troubling offseason for the Philadelphia Phillies and their willingness, or lack thereof, to bring back catcher J.T. Realmuto. The soon-to-be 35-year-old backstop had quite the unknown heading into free agency after the 2025 season, and that remains with less than a month remaining until pitchers and catchers report for spring training.
Where will Realmuto end up this offseason? The obvious fit would appear to be the Phillies on a new deal to potentially close out his career in Philadelphia, but it's not a certainty.
It would be strange to see Realmuto in a different uniform in 2026, but that possibility still stands months into free agency (subscription required). The Phillies have created a lot of interest in shortstop Bo Bichette, presumably ending Realmuto's tenure if they sign him.
Let's take a look at the best and worst teams for Realmuto to sign with if he doesn't return to the Phillies.
Here are the best and worst landing spots for J.T. Realmuto if he doesn't sign with the Phillies
The teams that would hurt
The Houston Astros, New York Mets, and Atlanta Braves would be the least favorable teams that Phillies fans would care to see Realmuto go to. The Mets and Braves would hurt due to the recent history of battling for the NL East title in back-to-back years.
It would also be odd to face Realmuto with some of the biggest division rivalries in MLB. Phillies fans would get a pit in their stomach every time Realmuto threw out a runner at second base. The Astros fit would be another difficult pill to swallow after their 2022 World Series matchup. It's not an "if you can't beat them, join them" scenario, but it still just wouldn't feel right.
Luckily, none of these landing spots are likely, with all three clubs having their catching situations under control.
The 'it hurts but we'll get over it' teams
The Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and Miami Marlins would be the teams that would initially sting, but that fans could get over rather quickly. The Red Sox and Padres are serious postseason contenders every year, but playing in either the NL West or the AL East won't really have any direct impact on the Phillies. Fans can celebrate and cheer for him from afar.
The only reason the Marlins would stink is not for their potential youth breakthrough, but that they're an NL East rival and the fact that Realmuto began his first five major league seasons in South Florida.
The 'whatever' teams
Any other team left standing would be where the Phillies wouldn't mind seeing Realmuto sign. He's older, offensively declining, and with a market that has seemed to fail him this winter. He still has some pop in his bat with hitting .257 with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs in 2025, but his .699 OPS also ranked last among qualified MLB catchers. Realmuto also still has an elite arm, but his poor framing leaves a lot to be desired.
Realmuto has played his last seven seasons in Philadelphia, and each one has been memorable. He's been an integral part of the Phillies pitching staff as the pillar they've leaned on to lead their group. The Phillies also remain serious in their efforts to consider all possibilities, even if that means moving on from one of the greatest catchers in franchise history.