Catcher JT Realmuto and the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed on a five-year $ 115.5 million contract, ESPN sources confirm Jeff Passan.
Realmuto, 29, remains one of the best all-around catchers in the majors, hitting .266 with 11 homers and 32 RBI’s with the Phillies during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He did not accept an eligible offer of $ 18.9 million for one year, but instead looked for a longer-term deal in the free-agents market.
As of 2018, Realmuto has led all MLB catchers in WAR (10.1), RBI’s (189) and Stolen Bases (16) and ranks second in slugging percentage (.489) and OPS (.825). His 57 homeruns during that period are in third place among MLB catchers.
Defensively, he saved 11 runs in the past two seasons, which is in fourth place of the catchers who have played more than 1,000 innings.
Realmuto hit .275 with 25 homers and 83 RBI’s while earning his second consecutive All-Star roster in 2019, leading the National League with 43 runners being thrown out in his first season in Philadelphia. He was acquired in February 2019 in a deal that sent catcher Jorge Alfaro, two pitching prospects and international signed bonus pool money to the rebuilding Miami Marlins.
Realmuto lost his arbitration case with the Phillies prior to last season and received a raise from $ 6.05 million to $ 10 million; he had applied for $ 12.4 million. He said he did not hold a grudge over the loss.
“I like this organization,” he said. “They’ve been great to me and my family since I showed up. Top to bottom they’re good people and they care about baseball. That’s important to me.”
A .278 hitter in his career, Realmuto was a first All-Star in his fourth season in 2018 when he hit .277 and set career highs with 21 homers, 74 RBI’s and an OPS of .825.
The news of the Realmuto deal was first reported by MLB reporter Craig Mish.