With the Major League Baseball offseason starting to ramp up toward the annual Winter Meetings in a couple of weeks in Dallas, a lot of players from across the league have been mentioned as possible trade candidates, many of whom won’t end up being traded.
One of the Philadelphia Phillies' players who has been mentioned repeatedly and seems to actually be on the trade block, Alec Bohm, appears a sure bet to be moved this winter. The team hasn’t made an effort to squash rumors ever since ESPN‘s Jeff Passan put the idea out there.
Other names have joined Bohm in trade rumors. Outfielders Nick Castellanos and Brandon Marsh, second baseman Bryson Stott and left-hander Ranger Suárez, as well as a handful of the Phillies prospects — including Justin Crawford — have all been mentioned as possible trade candidates.
Trading J.T. Realmuto doesn't make any sense considering Phillies' 2025 goals
However, one particular Phillies player who has been mentioned as a trade candidate doesn’t make any sense for a Phillies team that has eyes on returning to the World Series in 2025. Starting catcher J.T. Realmuto was picked by one anonymous MLB executive as a top trade candidate in Jesse Rogers' recent piece for ESPN.
"One exec believes it could happen if Dave Dombrowski wants to shake things up after a division series exit in October," Rogers writes. "According to our voter, Realmuto might be the most tradable player on the Phillies' roster outside of Bohm."
While moving a piece like Bohm makes sense — he can be replaced — trading their No. 1 catcher makes zero sense for the Phillies. Yes, the 33-year-old is heading into the final season of his five-year, $115.5 million contract, but even if the Phillies were to move the three-time All-Star this winter, it would be hard to magically replace what he brings to the team both at and behind the plate.
Despite struggling through a down year in 2024, largely thanks to a bum knee, there's no reason to think Realmuto won't bounce back in 2025. Since making his Phillies debut in 2019, his 23.2 fWAR is the highest among MLB catchers.
Phillies have no J.T. Realmuto replacement at the ready
It’s not like the Phillies have an heir apparent waiting in the wings to take over the role immediately.
Garrett Stubbs, who has been the backup for the last three seasons, agreed to a one-year deal for 2025 last week before the non-tender deadline, but that doesn’t guarantee him a spot on the roster next season. Quite frankly, he doesn’t have the offensive chops to be a starting MLB catcher.
Rafael Marchán, who the Phillies gave a look in 2024, albeit a small one, has a lot to prove. With a robust injury history and limited MLB exposure, he isn’t someone the Phillies can rely on at this point, despite his more potent bat.
The Phillies' top catching prospect, Eduardo Tait, appears to be the real deal and possibly the catcher of the future. However, he's still 18 and only played as high as Single-A in his first year of professional ball in the States this past season.
So unless the Phillies are trading for another top catcher, moving Realmuto doesn’t seem logical if they want to continue to be a contender in the National League next year. Even with his contract expiring after the 2025 season, removing him from the lineup doesn’t make the Phillies better.