Imagining a Life Without Realmuto
Here’s something to consider – the Philadelphia Phillies do not re-sign J.T. Realmuto this offseason, losing the Best Catcher in Baseball.
As horrifying as that is to think about, and as dumb of a non-move as that would be, it’s a very real possibility.
And while Realmuto seems willing to engage in contract talks during the season, the Phillies aren’t doing their part.
That’s pretty concerning. And while one would imagine the Phils do everything they can to keep him, the further they let this thing go, and the better Realmuto plays, the price tag is only going to go up.
So let’s assume they’re cheap and let him go. What next? The free-agent class coming up is average at best after Realmuto, no real stars or difference makers.
The class after the 2021 season? That’s a different story.
If General Manager Matt Klentak fails to re-sign Realmuto, it may be best to wait a year for him to make another splash. Or whoever the GM is, because Klentak needs to be fired if Realmuto walks.
Here are some of the top targets for the Phillies to look at to fill a potential Realmuto sized hole.
Nolan Arenado
The Colorado Rockies third baseman has an opt-out in his contract after 2021, and with an already strained relationship with the Colorado front office, it’s safe to assume he’s going to use it. While his 2020 season has been well below average – .232/.283/.476 – his track record speaks for itself. And with another full season in 2021, he stands to make a lot of money.
Arenado has a career slash line of .293/.250/.544, averaging 39.8 home runs and 124.2 RBI from 2015-2019. He was an All-Star in each of those seasons, as well as a Gold Glove winner each season and a Silver Slugger winner in every season but 2019. Seriously, his defense cannot be oversold.
If you like the art of defense, check out this video.
The Phillies already have Alec Bohm at third. But if Rhys Hoskins continues to struggle, he could be gone after the 2021 season. Bohm moves over to first, and now third is open to get this stud.
Kris Bryant
Speaking of studs, it feels like the Phillies have been linked to Kris Bryant for a long time. Every year, they’re thought of as a possible landing spot for the Chicago Cubs third baseman. But with questions of service time, it was too risky to give up top prospects. As a free agent, the Phillies don’t have to worry about that.
Like Arenado, Bryant hasn’t had the greatest 2020 season so far. But like Arenado, he has a track record of success. He’s a career .282 hitter, he won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2015 and followed it up with an NL MVP award World Series championship in 2016.
One of the big knocks on Bryant is he always seems to have some minor injury that he battles all season, impacting his performance. It would certainly give a GM concern when it comes to offering a big contract. But Phillies fans might be clamoring for a big move at this point. His close friendship with Bryce Harper could give the Phillies the edge when it comes to signing him.
A Bevy of Shortstops
If you’re a team looking for a shortstop, the free-agent class of 2021 – 2022 is for you. Francisco Lindor, Javier Baez, Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Trevor Story. All will be free agents, barring an extension in the next 14 months. Depending on what the Phillies do with that position – Didi Gregorius, Jean Segura, and prospect Bryson Stott are all candidates for it over the next few seasons – the team could be in need of a shortstop.
I’d pass on Correa; too much baggage with the Houston Astros scandal. I’d also pass on Seager; he has way too many injury concerns to sign to a long term deal. Baez is solid, but he’s the worst out of the remaining three. The story has done nothing but rake since coming up to the big leagues in 2017. But could he replicate his performance on a consistent basis outside of Coors Field? Citizens Bank Park can be known as a bandbox, so one would think he should be fine in Philly.
But the real shortstop prize is Lindor. First off, he might be the most positively infectious person in baseball. His smile lights up a room and you know he’s having fun on the field. On top of that, he’s a bonafide superstar. For his career, he’s hitting .286/.345/.491. He’s an All-Star, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger winner. He’s the perfect addition to any ball club.
Starting Pitching
Like shortstop, there are a lot of names here. Noah Syndergaard, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, and Chris Archer could all be entering free agency in the same year. Wow.
They all have their concerns, from injuries to age, but all could provide some value. I personally wouldn’t spend the money here when there are other needs the Phillies could go after, but it’s an option.
At the end of the day, the Phillies need to re-sign Realmuto. Harper and he have arguably been the best duo in baseball this season. Having them in the heart of the order for years to come is a must. But in the event the Phillies fail miserably here, there are some options.
While none of them are catchers, they should still replace some of his offensive power.
They’re no Best Catcher in Baseball, and that’s what this team, and fan base, really need.
Featured Image: Yong Kim
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