Overview
- Team president Dave Dombrowski again labeled catcher the club’s top focus, yet J.T. Realmuto remains unsigned heading into January.
- Reports describe a gap on contract terms, with Philadelphia believed to favor about two years in the $30–35 million range against industry projections near $34 million.
- Analysts and outlets increasingly predict Realmuto could land with the Padres, framing the San Diego fit as plausible rather than certain.
- The Phillies are evaluating internal and external options, with Marchán gaining reps in winter ball and Victor Caratini cited as a lower-cost alternative or part of a tandem.
- Marchán recently referred to learning from Realmuto in the “final years” of his career, as the 34-year-old posted a .257/.315/.384 line with 12 homers and roughly 2.1 fWAR in 2025.