Philadelphia’s smart handling of Garrett Stubbs’ deal pushes back a looming roster squeeze, giving the front office breathing room. DD
Garrett Stubbs is back, for now.
With the non-tender deadline approaching on Friday evening, the Philadelphia Phillies got some contract business out of the way early. On Friday afternoon, hours before the Phillies had to decide whether to tender Garrett Stubbs a contract for 2026, we learned that the team had agreed to terms with the 32-year-old catcher.
As reported by The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, a source has indicated that the Phillies and Stubbs are in agreement on a split contract for the 2026 season. Similar to his deal last offseason, Stubbs will earn $575,000 in the minor leagues and $925,000 when playing in the majors.
Stubs was certainly a candidate to be non-tendered in his second-to-last year of arbitration. However, with a definite lack of catching depth, the Phillies opted to play it safe and keep Stubbs in the fold until at least the end of spring training next year.
Garrett Stubbs enters fifth season with Phillies on thin ice despite new contract
As the third-string catcher behind J.T. Realmuto and Rafael Marchán (who was out of options) this year, Stubbs spent most of the 2025 season in Triple-A Lehigh Valley. His one remaining minor league option allowed the Phillies some flexibility to keep him in the organization.
That flexibility won’t extend into next season.
Stubbs is now out of options. At the end of spring training, he’ll either need to make the Opening Day roster or the Phillies will have to sneak him through waivers to send him to Triple-A. With Realmuto still unsigned in free agency and Marchán’s injury history, banking some catching depth is a smart move for the front office.
Although, even if the Phillies can’t bring Realmuto back, it seems far-fetched that they’d go into next season with Stubbs and Marchán as the major league catchers. If they do bring back Realmuto or find a replacement No. 1 backstop, Stubbs’ chances of making the team would seem to hinge on an injury.
Over his previous three seasons as Realmuto’s backup, Stubbs hit .222 with a .628 OPS, seven home runs, 39 RBIs and 52 runs scored in 147 games from 2022 through 2024.
In 71 games for the IronPigs this year, Stubbs hit .265 with a .753 OPS, eight home runs, 50 RBIs and 45 runs scored for one of the top offenses in the International League.
Stubbs got a September call-up, which felt like a reward from the Phillies for being a team player and spending the year in Allentown. He only appeared a handful of times down the stretch. With light catching pinch-running duties he had only one plate appearance.
