The Philadelphia Phillies still haven’t re-signed J.T. Realmuto. It still feels like a move that makes sense, but considering it’s about to be January, there have to be some questions, right?
As time passes without a deal, not only is it possible that Realmuto won’t return, but it’s very possible that it’s due to the Phillies not doing what’s needed to bring him back.
The question would then turn to how they could replace him. Realmuto obviously isn’t what he once was, but he still calls a good game and can manage an elite staff.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report believes there are some options out there, although they wouldn’t be the fan favorite. One of them was Victor Caratini, a long-time veteran.
“Re-signing J.T. Realmuto looked like a no-brainer for the Phillies when the offseason began, but the longer things stretch on without a deal getting done, the more likely it is he winds up elsewhere. That would leave Victor Caratini, Jonah Heim and whatever they can scrape up on the trade market as the top options to replace him behind the plate,” Reuter wrote.
Caratini would definitely be a downgrade. To me, he’s more of a backup who can help Realmuto take a day off, not a full-time starter.
However, there aren’t many starting catching-caliber players available.
More Phillies news:
- Former Dodgers champion and Phillies bust predicted to sign with a team that just makes too much sense
- Phillies dud Max Kepler linked to worst team in baseball after brutal season in Philadelphia
- Phillies predicted to lose Ranger Suarez to Astros for Framber Valdez reason
- Insider now suggests Phillies could bring back Ranger Suarez, despite everything Dave Dombrowski has said
- Phillies’ Ranger Suarez looking to land lucrative deal in MLB free agency
- Why Kyle Tucker is no longer a free agent option for Phillies