Acquiring another catcher is not among the Sox’s top priorities, or so it appears. But the Red Sox are showing interest in JT Realmuto, according to people with knowledge of their discussions.
The usual warnings apply. This is the start of free agency. Teams are touching base with a large number of players. The best guess with Realmuto is that he will still re-sign with the Philadelphia Phillies, his team from 2019.
It will be necessary for the attraction of the other team to be strong. Realmuto and his family have a home in Clearwater, Florida, the site of the Phillies’ spring training facility, and he spent part of the offseason there. The Phillies, who have no internal replacement for Realmuto, are also motivated to retain him.
Realmuto, at No. 24 athleticThe free-agent big board will be more of a complementary player for the Red Sox as he enters his age-35 season, not the big bat they are looking for. Still, he can fit into the team in many ways.
As a right handed hitter. Teaming up with catcher Carlos Narváez, who had spent the past four months playing offensively despite a knee injury. And as a clubhouse leader who would provide a strong veteran presence to a young position-player group, ideally paired with Bregman.
The Red Sox re-signed catcher Connor Wong to a one-year, $1.375 million deal ahead of Thursday’s arbitration deadline. The 29-year-old Wong improved offensively while improving defensively last season. Realmuto, one of the most athletic catchers in the game, will have obvious, if not massive, improvement.
athleticTim Britton estimated that Realmuto would receive a three-year, $45 million contract. Earlier this offseason, athleticMatt Gelb said Yadier Molina signed a three-year, $60 million extension contract covering his age-35 to -37 seasons in April 2017.
“We’re trying to look at all ways to improve the club,” Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said.
The market for Realmuto beyond the Phillies and Red Sox, whether they have truly emerged as a serious player for the 12-year veteran, is unclear.
The Texas Rangers reduced their 2025 payroll by trading non-tendering outfielder Adolis Garcia and second baseman Marcus Semien for catcher Jonah Heim and outfielder Brandon Nimmo. Realmuto would fill a need, and the Rangers are the closest team to his native Del City, Okla. But for a team looking to cut payroll, his price could be too high.
The San Francisco Giants may be a better possibility. President of baseball operations Buster Posey, a former catcher, certainly understands both the tangible and intangible value of Realmuto. Jeff Berry, a senior advisor in the front office, is a former agent of both Posey and Realmuto. Giants catcher Patrick Bailey is the game’s top framer, but he batted just .222 with a .602 OPS last season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds are among other teams that may be looking to improve at catcher. But it’s doubtful that Realmuto, who has been to the postseason with the Phillies four consecutive years, will want to join a less competitive team.
Realmuto is not the same player he was when he signed a five-year, $115.5 million free-agent contract with the Phillies in January 2021, setting a record for the highest average annual price by a catcher. But he remains one of the most durable players at the position and has been the leader among all catchers in games played over the past five seasons.
Their offense dipped below league average last season for the first time since their rookie campaign in 2015, but that was mostly due to a slow start. For the season, he batted .257 with 12 home runs and a .700 OPS. But after June 9, he was above league average as a hitter.
His sprint speed was second among catchers behind the Athletics’ Shea Langeliers. Defensively, his average pop time, exchange time and throwing accuracy remain elite. His blocking and framing have declined, but the introduction of an automatic ball-strike challenge system next season will reduce the importance of framing somewhat.
It would be a surprise if Realmuto lands with a team other than the Phillies. But quality catchers are rare. And Realmuto, even at his older age and after a season of offensive decline, is the best available in free agency.
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