experienced catcher JT Realmuto Has agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract to stay with the philadelphia philliesAccording to multiple reports.
According to the report, Realmuto could earn an additional $5 million annually in bonuses.
The Phillies’ re-signing of Realmuto was the latest free agency domino to occur on Friday. The Philadelphia infielder was one of the top pursuers bo bichetwho instead Three-year deal worth $126 million agreed with New York Mets. Meanwhile, the Mets had moved to Bichette. missing out on new Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder kyle tucker.
Realmuto, a three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, made his decision a month after the designated hitter kyle schwarber Also decided to remain with the Phillies on a five-year, $150 million deal.
Realmuto, who turns 35 in March, hit .257 with 12 homers and 52 RBI in 134 games last year, when he tied for the major league lead with 132 games played at catcher. His .700 OPS was his lowest since 2015 – his second major league season – and marked the third consecutive season in which his OPS declined from the previous season. He was in the final season of a five-year, $115.5 million contract, which was the highest average annual value ($23.1 million) ever paid to a catcher at the time.
Realmuto has a .270 career batting average with 180 homers and 677 RBIs in 12 seasons. miami marlins (2014–18) and the Phillies.
A rare every day catcher in today’s MLB, Realmuto’s 641 games ranked second among primary catchers over the past half decade. kansas city royals‘ salvador perez (728). Realmuto’s 19.0 wins during the same time period are second only to replacements Los Angeles Dodgers‘ Will Smith Between the backstop.
Philadelphia also made a deal with the right-hander this offseason brad keller (2 years, $22 million) and outfielder adolis garcia (1 year, $10 million).
ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
