⚡ LATEST UPDATE: Phillies fans eye three standout catcher alternatives who could soften the blow if J.T. Realmuto bolts this offseason ⚡.DD
The Phillies have to pivot if they can’t bring back J.T. Realmuto.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto is now a free agent after spending the last seven seasons in Philadelphia with 2025 marking the final year of his five-year, $115.5 million deal. Realmuto will be 35 years old on Opening Day but still has a sizable market given his durability and skill set.
This season, Realmuto played in 134 games, leading all catchers in games caught (132) and innings (1,151 1/3). He also hit .257 while hitting 12 home runs and driving in 52 runs.
The Phillies would like to have him back, but he could just as easily leave. They need to keep their options open, with the catcher free agent market being notoriously weaker this offseason. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski won’t want to take a step back, so the trade market may be the way to go to fill Realmuto’s shoes.
It would be difficult seeing Realmuto walk with how well he’s worked with the current pitching staff. He has been an asset, but the Phillies also have to consider that a change may be needed. Their currently rostered catchers, Rafael Marchán and Garret Stubbs, just won’t be good enough, so here are the three best options to replace Realmuto in 2026.
3 best alternatives for Phillies to upgrade at catcher if J.T. Realmuto leaves
No. 3: Trade for Adley Rutschman
Even though the Baltimore Orioles have said that Adley Rutschman isn’t on the trade block, the rumors have continued to persist into the offseason. Rutschman will be 28 years old next season and is also under team control through 2027.
Rutschman was an MVP candidate earlier in his career but has struggled recently, especially this season when he hit .220 with a .673 OPS, only playing 90 games thanks to injuries. With that in mind, Rutschman would still be an exciting trade if he’s able to return to his MVP numbers from just a couple of years ago. He still ranked 14th in catcher framing runs, while Realmuto ranked 55th out of 57 catchers.
The biggest concern for the Phillies to even consider this trade would be what the Orioles would ask in return. It could cost at least one of the big three prospects of Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford, or Andrew Painter.
No. 2: Trade for Edgar Quero
Edgar Quero is a 22-year-old catcher with the Chicago White Sox after signing as an international free agent in 2021. He made his MLB debut in 2025 with a .268 batting average and .689 OPS in 111 games. He has a lot of potential but is blocked by first-round pick Kyle Teel who also debuted for the White Sox this year.
The Phillies could get a lot younger by taking a chance and trading for Quero. He would bring a lot of youth to a stacked veteran lineup, and would have a chance to handle one of the best starting staffs in baseball.
Quero doesn’t hit free agency until 2032, so the Phillies would have to send a big package with at least one top prospect. They’d also likely have to throw in at least one player from their MLB roster to fill other holes for the White Sox.
No. 1: Trade for Hunter Goodman
Hunter Goodman may have been the only good thing that happened to the Colorado Rockies in 2025. Goodman would be the biggest prize to bring in at the catcher position via trade this winter. He just turned 26 years old and with his early resume, how can you not be excited for what it could look like.
Goodman really broke out this season and will be ranked among the best catchers in MLB with four more years of control left on his contract. Granted, offensive numbers are skewed with the altitude in Colorado, but Goodman overcame a lot of doubt.
He hit .278 with an .843 OPS, which was good for third-best among all MLB catchers. His 31 home runs and 91 RBIs also carried him to his first career All-Star nod and Silver Slugger Award.
Undoubtedly, the Rockies would ask for one or two top prospects in a trade. It might work for the Phillies if they want to get a cheaper option behind the plate, with their payroll expected to be among the highest again next season.
