The offseason is well underway with Major League Baseball’s free agent period in full swing. It’s no secret that the Philadelphia Phillies are in the market for outfield bats and high-leverage bullpen arms. But there’s another issue with this Phillies roster that’s flying somewhat under the radar: the catcher situation.
They still have J.T. Realmuto on the payroll for one more season, but the tide is turning as Father Time starts to creep toward the 33-year-old. The Phillies themselves have spoken about wanting to reduce his playing time. Manager Rob Thomson said during his end-of-season press conference that he’s going to cut Realmuto’s games back in 2025.
So now the Phillies face a dilemma they’ll have the next three or so months to solve: Who will be the backup catcher to take the extra workload off of the three-time All-Star’s shoulders?
Veteran Travis d'Arnaud could be the Phillies' backup catcher solution thanks to the Braves
Thanks to a roster move by a division rival this week, the Phillies have a solution to their backup catcher problem staring them right in the face. On Monday, the Atlanta Braves chose not to keep veteran catcher Travis d’Arnaud, jettisoning him to free agency by not picking up the $8 million option on his contract. The 35-year-old might just be a perfect stopgap to give the Phillies another experienced backstop to help Realmuto in 2025.
Fans will be familiar with d’Arnaud, seeing how the Phillies drafted him in 2007 and packaged him up in the 2009 Roy Halladay trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. He spent six and half seasons with the New York Mets and just finished a five-season run with the Braves.
d'Arnaud will turn 36 right before training camp opens in February, but he comes with the experience both behind and at the plate the Phillies could use in a backup who might play 40 to 60 games. He batted .238 /.302/.436 with 15 home runs and 48 RBI in 341 plate appearances in 99 games this season.
While his .739 OPS doesn't knock your socks off, it was better than the league average, as his 103 OPS+ indicates. And he slugged .597 against left-handed pitching, posting a .922 OPS.
What about the other catcher options already with the team?
Garrett Stubbs has been a serviceable backup for a couple of seasons now, but his lack of offense was exposed more than ever this season, with Realmuto playing just 99 games thanks to knee issues that led to surgery. He slashed .207/.296/.262 in 54 games.
Stubbs is fine as a backup who plays once a week. But any more than that, and things get weird. He has an option remaining so the Phillies could stash him in Triple-A as an emergency option.
The Phillies also gave Rafael Marchán a look-see this season, and he performed well in his limited time, slashing .294/.345/.549 in 17 games. However, his injured-riddled history will make the team wary of placing their hopes squarely on his shoulders. Without any options left, the Phillies will have to be careful about how they deploy him in 2025.
Top catching prospect Eduardo Tait (Phillies No. 5) is still a ways away at just 18 years old and playing at Single-A this past season. Adding d'Arnaud on a one-year deal might be the best solution to help get one season closer to seeing the Phillies' presumed catcher of the future make his debut.