Big slugger Kyle Schwarber is officially back with the Philadelphia Phillies after he and the Phillies agreed to a five-year, $150 million deal on Tuesday. The deal will pay Schwarber an average of $30 million per year through his age-37 season. The Phillies executed what they had their sights set on in free agency, possibly kicking off a flurry of Winter Meetings signings.
The Phillies' Schwarber re-signing is massive not only for Schwarber but for the franchise as a whole. They have their reigning NL home run king and the leader of the clubhouse back in red pinstripes. With Schwarber secured, the Phillies can now turn their attention to catcher J.T. Realmuto to bring him back home as well.
Re-signing J.T. Realmuto should be Phillies next big offseason move
The Phillies also let Realmuto walk in free agency this offseason after seven years with the organization. The 34-year-old veteran has been an integral part of the success of the pitching staff, and the Phillies still would like a reunion.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson spoke at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida, on the importance of bringing the catcher back.
“We've got some things in play, but we want J.T. back.” Thomson said. “I mean, he is so important. I've been around a lot of great catchers. Posada, McCann, Pudge Rodriguez, and he's as good as any of them in my opinion, as far as calling a game, being prepared, doing his homework. For the most part our pitchers just sit there and whatever he calls they trust him so much, they get up and throw it. So, yeah, he's a big part of this.”
Realmuto is one of the most trusted catchers in the league with how he's handled the elite pitching staff in Philadelphia. The stars shine on the mound and Realmuto handles them with relative ease, all while playing almost every day.
Realmuto finished the 2025 season hitting .257 with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs. In his seven seasons in Philadelphia, he's a career .265 hitter, averaging a .778 OPS. Realmuto is the definition of tough, playing in nearly 80 percent of the games since he signed, nearly all behind the plate. Even in his 12th MLB season, Realmuto led all active catchers with 1151 1/3 innings as a catcher, 40 more innings than William Contreras.
The Phillies hit the lottery by bringing back Schwarber, their prized offensive piece. The Phillies aren't done, and Realmuto still presents the best option for them at catcher. The Phillies need him back, and it may be only a matter of time before they make that known as well.