After missing out on signing former Toronto Blue Jays star shortstop Bo Bichette, the Philadelphia Phillies changed their focus to bringing back three-time All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto.
Realmuto has spent the past seven seasons with the Phillies after they acquired him in a trade with the Miami Marlins, and after testing free agency, the 34-year-old is reportedly nearing a contract to return to the Phillies, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto is close to re-signing with the Phillies, sources tell me and @MattGelb
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 16, 2026
Philadelphia was in a stalemate with Realmuto, but with Bichette off the board, was able to get a deal done quickly, with FanSided’s Robert Murray reporting that the Phillies are in agreement to bring back the veteran catcher on a three-year contract worth $45 million.
Free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a three-year, $45 million contract with a chance to get to $60 million, according to sources familiar with the deal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 16, 2026
Realmuto regressed slightly offensively this season, but he remains one of the best catchers in baseball. The 34-year-old still slashed .257/.315/.384 with 12 home runs while driving in 52 runs and providing excellent defense behind the plate, but his new contract understandably will be significantly lower in average annual value than the five-year, $115 million contract he just played out for the Phillies.
Retaining Realmuto is one of Philadelphia’s best moves this offseason as they attempt to keep their championship window open. If the Phillies had been unable to bring back the veteran catcher, they would have had to rely on Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs or pursue another catcher.
Philadelphia may not have been able to draw in a free agent like Bichette or Kyle Tucker, but it has managed to keep two of the team’s top free agents. With a core built around Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Zach Wheeler, the Phillies should still be one of the best teams in baseball.
