Phillies' huge free agent issue is bad news for Bo Bichette, J.T. Realmuto

Matt Sullivan

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Phillies' huge free agent issue is bad news for Bo Bichette, J.T. Realmuto image

The Philadelphia Phillies have spent big this offseason, bringing back Kyle Schwarber on a $150 million deal, signing Adolis Garcia for $10 million, and righty reliever Brad Keller for $22 million.

Those additions have been great, but the Phillies still need to resolve their catcher spot, and could also look to add to their outfield, bullpen, and even starting rotation. And an upgrade at third base or second base isn't out of the question either.

However, as Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic highlight, there is a major issue that the Phillies are facing, which is bad news for their odds to sign one of the top players, J.T. Realmuto and Bo Bichette, they've been linked to lately.

Phillies get bad news amid major free agent issue

"The Phillies, within $4 million of the highest threshold, are closest, per Fangraphs." Sammon and Rosenthal write. "If they re-sign free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto, they would pay 110 on most of his salary."

If the Phillies want to bring back Realmuto in free agency, they won't be able to get away from spending a lot more than his contract would come in at.

For example, this 110 percent penalty could turn a $20 million per-year deal into one worth over $40 million on the Phillies' books.

It won't be that exact number due to the Phillies having some wiggle room before their contracts eclipse that final threshold, but the issue is still present.

And if they do bring Realmuto back, or make any signing worth over $4 million, then the next deal will have the full 110 percent penalty applied to the contract.

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Recently, the Phillies have been linked to Bichette as a free agent target. But, unless John Middleton gives the okay to Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies likely aren't going to spend $30 million on a free agent.

Any free agent the Phillies sign, barring them moving on from players like Alec Bohm to decrease the payroll, will cost the Phillies more than double the new contract.

For the Phillies' odds of getting Realmuto back or signing a player like Bichette, this is some bad news. Any contract worth over $4 million per year will be doubled.

While they are getting a lot of flexibility next offseason, for the short-term, the Phillies will be on the hook for a massive amount of money this upcoming season if they sign a player to a deal worth over $4 million.

Don't write off the Phillies from making another move this offseason, but for now, their odds of bringing in a top free agent don't look to be great, as the cost is likely too much for the Phillies this offseason.

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