The stars appear to be lining up with Phillies and JT Realmuto.
The Phils made the free-agent catcher their first official offer: five years and just over $ 100 million, according to John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia, confirming a report by The Athletic.
The news arrives while Realmuto’s landing points continue to disappear. The Mets are out after signing with James McCann, the Yankees after spending $ 90 million to retain DJ LeMahieu and probably the Angels after agreeing to a deal on Friday with Kurt Suzuki.
Realmuto has long sought the highest average annual value for a Seeker, currently $ 23 million from Joe Mauer’s eight-year contract and $ 184 million with the twins. If that is still the goal, a five-year deal would have to exceed $ 115 million. It is not clear, however, whether Realmuto’s target can still be reached due to the free agent scenario.
Could another team intervene and offer Realmuto a bigger contract at this point? Who’s left? Nationals are seen as unlikely, as are Astros because of the draft choices they already lost in their license plate theft scandal. Other prominent NL contenders, like Dodgers and Padres, have catchers and have spent money elsewhere this season. Cardinals may be a possibility if they lose Yadier Molina to retirement, although it is unclear whether they have the ability to do such a business.
The Blue Jays were referred to throughout the off-season as a potential destination for the top guys: Realmuto, George Springer, Trevor Bauer. Would Realmuto go there?
Philadelphia would almost certainly be your favorite place instead of Toronto, due to its comfort and familiarity here, in addition to the tax ramifications of playing half of its games in Canada. It is unclear whether the Blue Jays will actually play in Toronto in 2021, but the Canadian tax rate he would be subject to is about 16 percent higher than in the United States. If the Phillies and Blue Jays were to do the same deal, the Phillies’ offer would probably net Realmuto more, although Toronto could be creative with accounting alternatives to mitigate certain tax differences (similar to a NFL signing bonus).
The Phillies are committed to doing this business. You do not offer a nine-digit contract unless you are serious. If the Phils could do that, the tone of their off-season would change quickly. They would have addressed their top priority, while adding a proven last-minute reliever in Archie Bradley and two bullpen arms who should be able to help. The door is not closed for Didi Gregorius either. Earlier this week, Phillies’ president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, said the team is interested in hiring him.
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