The Philadelphia Phillies are trying to re-sign veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto, but so far this offseason, it's not gone well.
The two sides are in a standoff, and it doesn't look like a solution is coming anytime soon. With this situation, the Phillies need to prepare alternative plans.
Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer predicted one shc plan that would feature two blockbuster moves, one with Alec Bohm, and another with a top free agent this winter.
Phillies predicted to make blockbuster three-part move amid J.T. Realmuto's free agency
"Or, if Bohm had to be packaged for a catcher," Lauber writes, "the Phillies could take a run at a free agent, such as Alex Bregman or Bo Bichette, right-handed hitters with power who could slot in behind Harper."
Lauber's prediction would have the Phillies letting Realmuto walk, trade Bohm for a replacement catcher, and then sign one of Bo Bichette or Alex Bregman to replace him in the lineup.
This three-part offseason move would be a stunning one for the Phillies to make, but of the possible outcomes this winter, it's the one many Phillies fans would want.
Downgrading at catcher would sting, but it would lead to the Phillies moving on from Bohm, who's been shaky at times in his Phillies career, and signing one of the best free agents available this winter.
More: Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto prediction shows how bad things would be if Philadelphia doesn’t re-sign him
Bichette is a player the Phillies have been linked to in recent days, and Bryson Stott could move over to third, with Bichette taking over second base, to make the best defensive infield the Phillies could put together.
Bregman is more straightforward, as he could take over at third base for Bohm as a direct replacement. Neither will be cheap to sign, and would be a major commitment from the Phillies front office.
But if the Phillies are going to lose a franchise staple like Realmuto this winter, signing a veteran slugger like Bregman or Bichette and trading Bohm for a replacement catcher would certainly help lessen the sting of losing a great player like Realmuto.
Lauber's idea for the Phillies if they move on from Realmuto would be an incredible one. The Phillies would get a massive upgrade at third base, add the cleanup hitter they've been searching for, and also land a new catcher thanks to Bohm becoming expendable.
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