Phillies offer JT Realmuto a 5-year contract worth $100M
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 12: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies plays catcher during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on September 12, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 9-5. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
Finally, an offer!
Per Jayson Stark of The Athletic, the Phillies offered “five years and slightly north of $100 million” to catcher J.T. Realmuto.
As of Dec. 29, the Phillies had not made an offer to Realmuto, per to John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia, even though the sides were having conversations.
The Phillies’ front office has undergone significant changes this offseason, as Dave Dombrowski was hired as president of baseball operations on Dec. 11.
Stark noted Dombrowski confirmed a report by Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia that he met with Realmuto and Realmuto’s wife, Karie, in December. The recent offer was made “in the last week or so.”
The Phillies acquired Realmuto from the Miami Marlins for Jorge Alfaro, Sixto Sánchez, Will Stewart and international slot money in February 2019. This move helped the Phillies acquire Bryce Harper as Realmuto and Harper are very good friends. Harper has kept no secret that he wants Realmuto back in Philly.
Harper said said back in September, “J.T. Realmuto needs to be our catcher next year”.
In two seasons, Realmuto has posted a .273/.333/.492 slash line with 36 home runs and 115 RBIs. He won his first Gold Glove Award and second Silver Slugger in 2019.
Harper is right, Realmuto needs to be here this season.
