MLB Rumors: Phillies Make 5-Year Offer to J.T. Realmuto Worth Over $100 Million
With the Mets taking all of the offseason shine in the National League East, the Phillies apparently aren't done trying to make a big splash of their own.
Philadelphia has reportedly made a serious bid to retain two-time All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto. The team has offered a five-year deal worth over $100 million, according to Jayson Stark of The Athletic.
The Phillies have been relatively quiet since their December hiring of general manager Dave Dombrowski. Dombrowski met with Realmuto and his wife in Oklahoma in late December, though according to Dombrowski, the group did not discuss a new contract.
"It was just about getting to know one another," Dombrowski said, according to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports. "Everything went great. It's apparent why everyone in the Phillies organization thinks so highly of J.T. as a person and a player."
Realmuto and his agent, Jeff Barry of CAA, reportedly have sought a deal worth as high as $200 million. The Phillies' offer is nowhere near that amount, though the team remains the favorite to land Realmuto, per Stark.
Since arriving in Philadelphia in 2019, Realmuto has hit .273/.333/.492 with 36 home runs and a 112 OPS+ in 192 games.
Check out the latest news and rumors around MLB:
- The Yankees have reportedly re-signed infielder DJ LeMahieu on a six-year, $90 million deal. (Jon Morosi, MLB Network)
- In all, 13 arbitration-eligible players did not reach an agreement with their respective clubs: Carlos Correa, Dansby Swanson, Walker Buehler, Ian Happ, Jack Flaherty, Donovan Solano, Shohei Ohtani, Ryan Yarbrough, Mike Soroka, J.D. Davis, Anthony Santander, Ji-Man Choi and Austin Barnes. (Jeff Passan, ESPN)
- The Blue Jays are still pursuing top free agents Trevor Bauer, J.T. Realmuto, and George Springer, after LeMahieu re-signed with the Yankees. (Jon Morosi, MLB Network)
- Catcher Kurt Suzuki has agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Angels. (Ken Rosenthal, )
- Free agent relief pitcher Kirby Yates is considering offers from five different teams, and the Padres are not among them. San Diego has interest in signing Yates but would have to "substantially" increase their offer. (Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune)
- The Mets are in talks with closer Brad Hand. New York has been interested in Hand since Cleveland declined his option. (Mark Feinsand, MLB.com)
- Reliever Archie Bradley has agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal with the Phillies. (Joel Sherman, New York Post)
- The Giants have signed left-handed pitcher Alex Wood to a one-year contract. (Team announcement)