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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Phillies are doing the opposite of rebuilding, yet one executive believes they might trade one of their veteran All-Stars this offseason.
In ESPN's annual postseason survey of major league executives released Tuesday, an anonymous executive told Jesse Rogers he could foresee the Phillies trading catcher J.T. Realmuto this winter.
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"One exec believes it could happen if Dave Dombrowski wants to shake things up after a division series exit in October," Rogers writes. "According to our voter, Realmuto might be the most tradable player on the Phillies' roster outside of (third baseman Alec) Bohm."
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Realmuto, 33, is coming off a down year at the plate in which he slashed .266/.322/.429 with 14 home runs and 47 RBIs in 99 games. A three-time All-Star, Realmuto is entering the final year of a five-year, $115.5 million contract signed in Jan. 2021.
Realmuto is set to make $23.875 million in 2025. He is also owed $5 million in two installments, in July 2026 and 2027, as part of his original deferred-money deal with the Phillies. The acquiring team would also owe Realmuto a $1 million bonus in the event he is traded.
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Given the relative dearth of offensive talent at the position, and Realmuto's still-viable skills as a receiver, his 3 Wins Above Replacement (according to Baseball Reference) last season make him a desirable asset for any team. Realmuto turns 34 in March, which could spur a reduction in playing time in 2025.
Unfortunately for the Phillies, only one of their top prospects is a catcher, and 18-year-old Eduardo Tait is several years away from major league duty in the best-case scenario.
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Other internal options to replace Realmuto on the Phillies' roster include Rafael Marchan, 25, who's on their 40-man roster already, and veteran backup Garrett Stubbs, who had a .558 OPS in 54 games last season.
The Phillies lost their best catching prospect when they traded Logan O'Hoppe to the Angels in exchange for outfielder Brandon Marsh in Aug. 2022. Marsh has helped the Phillies reach the National League Division Series each of the last three seasons, while O'Hoppe has established himself as the starting catcher in Anaheim.
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That trade also made it less likely that president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski — who has been historically reluctant to move established major league players — would deal Realmuto before his contract expires.
At least one executive can see it happening. For now, it's more likely in the realm of speculation than an actual sign the Phillies are in the market for a younger catcher.
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