Reports: Realmuto agrees to 3-year, $45M deal with Phillies (0:50)Reports: Realmuto agrees to 3-year, $45M deal with Phillies (0:50)
Veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto has agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to multiple reports.
The Phillies’ re-signing of Realmuto was the latest free agency domino to fall Friday. Philadelphia was among the top pursuers of infielder Bo Bichette, who instead agreed to a three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets. The Mets, meanwhile, had shifted to Bichette after missing out on new Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker.
A three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, Realmuto made his decision a month after designated hitter Kyle Schwarber also chose to remain with the Phillies on a five-year, $150 million deal.
A rare every-day catcher in today’s MLB, Realmuto’s 641 games is the second-most among primary catchers over the past half-decade, behind Kansas City Royals’ Salvador Perez (728). Realmuto’s 19.0 wins above replacement during the same time period ranks second behind the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith among backstops.
Philadelphia has also reached deals this offseason with right-hander Brad Keller (2 years, $22 million) and outfielder Adolis García (1 year, $10 million).
Reports: Realmuto agrees to 3-year, $45M deal with Phillies (0:50)Reports: Realmuto agrees to 3-year, $45M deal with Phillies (0:50)
Realmuto can earn an additional $5 million annually in bonuses, according to the reports.
ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reports: Realmuto agrees to 3-year, $45M deal with Phillies (0:50)