With ample trigger, veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto was ranked a strong No. 2 in our 2020-21 free agent rankings. This is what our personal R.J. Anderson wrote about Realmuto in rating him second solely to George Springer on this winter’s class:
Realmuto is coming off the second-best offensive season of his profession, hitting .266/.349/.491 with 11 homers in 47 video games. Maybe one of the best ways to sum up Realmuto is to acknowledge that he hit the ball 95 mph or tougher as incessantly in 2020 as Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Pete Alonso did … and that he completed that feat whereas taking part in above-average protection behind the plate. Realmuto is extra athletic than the usual backstop, and he has averaged seven steals per pop since his first full season. If you happen to’re in search of nits to select, you’ll be able to bemoan his single-digit stroll fee, or his propensity for swinging and lacking. In any other case, one of the best a fearmonger can do is level to the dicey historical past of 30-something catchers. Realmuto, nearing his age-30 season, has sufficient going for him that he’ll receives a commission — and he is possible going to be price it.
There’s little doubt that Realmuto, age 29, goes to wind up considerably enhancing the workforce that indicators him and proceed doing so, possible for the lifetime of no matter contract he winds up inking. At this level, although, his market appears to be getting compressed. That is as a result of the Mets have reportedly forged a $40 million agreement with free agent catcher James McCann. After Steve Cohen assumed energy as new Mets proprietor, the Queenslanders for Realmuto stood as a uncommon intersection of positional want and assumed willingness to spend. Now that they’ve McCann within the fold, stated positional want isn’t any extra.
And what of the incumbent Phillies? With out query they want Realmuto again, however contemplate the recent introductory remarks by newly hired team president Dave Dombrowski. Dombrowski stated there’s curiosity in bringing again Realmuto to Philly, however he additionally instructed that payroll will probably be taking place from (non-prorated) 2020 ranges. The Phillies shed some wage already by way of different free agent departures, however the lack of specifics means we do not know the way a lot possession is keen to spend this offseason whereas staying below 2020 ranges. Proper now, the Phillies undertaking to be about $60 million below that 2020 determine, however, once more, how near the road are they keen to go? That is sufficient room to afford Realmuto, however that assumes they’re keen to speculate a large chunk of that $60 million or so. They could properly not be. Additionally keep in mind that the Phillies want a shortstop and a number of items added to the pitching workers.
So if we contemplate the Phillies to be a “perhaps” when it comes to Realmuto, who else is left? The Blue Jays have been a dependable supply of Realmuto rumors this winter. Coming off a profitable season and playoff berth, the Jays are by all accounts trying to complement their younger core with extra veteran additions within the service of sustained relevance. At first blush, they appear an odd match for Realmuto on condition that they’ve loads of catching depth readily available. That stated, Realmuto would little doubt be an improve over what’s in-house, and his addition would additionally permit the Jays to handle different roster wants by buying and selling a number of of Alejandro Kirk, Danny Jansen, and Reese McGuire. In mild of latest occasions with the Mets and up to date implications with the Phillies, perhaps Toronto is the main contender to land Realmuto.
Elsewhere, the Nationals benefit contemplation. GM Mike Rizzo, to his credit score, appears to be in perpetual “win-now” mode, and that is the expectation as soon as once more. A pivot is definitely potential after the disappointing try at a title protection in 2020, however the Nats historical past suggests they will oil their weapons for warfare as soon as once more. Final season, Kurt Suzuki and Yan Gomes once more shared duties behind the plate in D.C., however Suzuki is himself a free agent. As for Gomes, he is produced at solid-by-catcher requirements on the plate during the last three seasons, however he’ll flip 34 in July. Even when Gomes is not headed for steep decline straight away, he is not on Realmuto’s stage. It is also price noting that Gomes has made at the least 100 begins at catcher solely as soon as since 2014. Barring a choice to retool, the Nats are candidates to significantly pursue Realmuto.
Past that, we’re left with longshots. Assuming Yadier Molina lands elsewhere, the Cardinals could be an excellent match for Realmuto. Along with plugging the outlet left by Molina, he’d be one other impression bat, which is one thing St. Louis badly wants. Nevertheless, all indicators level to the Cardinals’ unwillingness to spend at premium free agent ranges. Likewise, the Astros might badly use Realmuto, however proprietor Jim Crane’s dedication to profitable at this stage is doubtful within the excessive.
May the Yankees enter the image? That may require them to maneuver on from Gary Sanchez. Whereas Sanchez struggled badly final season, it is easy to dismiss the outputs from a 60-game common season that was performed throughout a worldwide pandemic. As lately as 2019, Sanchez hit 34 dwelling runs and put up an OPS+ of 118, so it is exhausting to see the Yankees slicing bait so quickly after he carried out at an All-Star stage. On one other stage, the Yankees are prioritizing DJ LeMahieu’s return.
The Dodgers? It appears unlikely, as they’re working with an eye fixed on the luxurious tax, and naturally they have already got Will Smith at catcher. Nevertheless, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic floats an interesting hypothetical (which he emphasizes is pure hypothesis on his half). Say free agent Justin Turner indicators elsewhere. The Dodgers might reply by shifting Smith to the new nook, the place he spent vital time within the minors. That, in flip, would open up catcher for Realmuto. All of that’s unlikely to come back to go, however simply the identical let’s assign longshot standing to L.A.
So the place does that depart our studying of the post-Mets Realmuto market? Allow us to idly summarize …
The main contender: Blue Jays
Within the combine: Phillies, Nationals
Possibly, probably on the fringes: Cardinals, Astros
Included largely for valuable, enriching clicks: Yankees, Dodgers
Now allow us to allow market forces, resembling they’re, to unscramble the scrambled egg that’s the present J.T. Realmuto scenario.
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