Phillies backstop J.T. Realmuto is pursuing a significant raise in his final season of arbitration eligibility. But the wage dispute is a pragmatic one, the star explained to reporters including Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
There’s a sizable spread between what Realmuto is seeking and what the Philadelphia organization is defending, raising the possibility of a relatively high-stakes hearing of the sort that can lead to some emotional moments. Whether or not there’s any mud-slinging before the arbitration panel, the backstop suggests that hurt feelings won’t be the cause or the result.
“I have a pretty good understanding of the process,” he says, “and I know it’s not the Phillies trying to slight me at all. It’s more the system. There’s no hard feelings there.”
Realmuto explains that he feels the Phils were generally fair in negotiations to this point. The Phillies filed at $10MM, coming in just shy of the $10.3MM projected by the computer model of MLBTR & arbitration guru Matt Swartz, so the club obviously was at least within reasonable bounds with its numbers. But Realmuto sees an argument for greater earnings — not only for himself, but also future backstops.
“Historically, catchers haven’t been treated very well in the arbitration process,” Realmuto opines. “So we feel like this is an opportunity for us to advance that for future catchers.”
It’ll be interesting to see how Realmuto and his reps go about trying to nudge the system in the player’s favor. Certainly, the rise in measurable catching statistics — Realmuto grades as one of the game’s top defensive backstops — creates some new potential evidence to work with. That the Phillies organization has heaped public praise upon Realmuto surely doesn’t hurt.
So, what does this all mean for a possible extension? Bad blood evidently won’t scuttle a deal. But a Realpolitik Realmuto will presumably also be a hard bargainer when it comes time to value his future.
“Anybody who knows much about the arbitration process knows that it’s business,” says Realmuto. “It’s not necessarily me against the Phillies right now. There’s definitely not any hard feelings there. So, I feel like we’re in the same place we were two or three months ago with the contract extension.”
Catchers in free agency have topped out around $80m. However this guy can lay claim to being the best player at his position, and at a prime age. Can he get someone to offer him an elite-player contract (~$200m+) rather than a very-good-catcher contract (~$90m)? Will be interesting, especially in a rather weak free agent class.
I think he can definitely top $100m but unless he hasn’t an MVP caliber campaign I don’t see anyone offering him $200m.
No one is giving a catcher $200 million, that’s require a 10 year commitment at minimum. Any GM who gives a catcher that kind of contract will find himself searching the help wanted ads within 12 months.
Realmuto will be signed by an owner, not a GM.
Realmuto is right, catchers deserve huge annual salaries due to their value as the most important defensive player on the field. Elite long term contracts seem unlikely unless they’re a Buster Posey level hitter or an ageless wonder like Yadier Molina or Ivan Rodriguez. Once a catcher ages out of their defensive value most teams are stuck with a mediocre overpaid 1B/corner OF.
Joe Mauer right there. But the difference between Mauer and a guy like Realmuto is Mauer was a franchise icon. He would’ve gotten that and maybe more from another team but you’re right , they ended up with an over paid mediocre 1B. A lot of that was due to injury forcing him from behind the plate but it shows what can happen to a catcher.
Hopefully whatever happens, even though he says no hard feelings, will cause him to sign with the Nationals next year.
Maybe for cheap to get back at the Phillies. lol
If you’re a Phillies fan, he hasn’t stated ruling out upcoming in-season extension discussions so that’s a good sign.
In your dreams.
I mean, Harper to the Phillies instead of Nationals was pretty much “in your dreams” as well.
Nothing is certain. Except Miami, he’s not going back there.
He will if they pay him
Hahaha! No way but that would be hilarious
No feelings will be hurt through arbitration,because there’s no argument about his game. This is all about salary for a catcher.The previous record for a catcher is 8.275,so Realmutos really just trying to push that bar up.Still wouldn’t surprise me if they work out a new contract before they reach the panel.
I know it’s probably been reported in another story but what did Realmuto file at? Kind of wished it was stated again in this story.
If the store us out of sun dried tomatoes you dont pay double for regular tomatoes .
Sure JT is the best in the game at his position but hes still only above average offensively. You usually dont get paid for defense in arbitration
He may be the best now, but LA’s Will Smith will own that spot by the end of this season….
lol!
Haha, you gotta love Dodger fans.
Depends on whether you think Will Smith is August Will Smith or September Will Smith. Let him play a full season for starters before we call him the best catcher in the leagues.
Fresh Prince?
He’s not even the best backstop in his own organization.
Not that quickly
There’s no need to argue,
dodgers just don’t understand
he don’t have a rep yet.
Ha. I see what you did there!
@boognailz..Lmfao will smith isn’t even top 10 defensively, what a joke of a statement. Realmuto is the best on both sides of the ball for his position. Your stupidity is radiating through my screen lol.
@boognailz..Lmfao will smith isn’t even top 10 defensively, what a joke of a statement. Realmuto is the best on both sides of the ball for his position. Your stupidity is radiating through my screen lol.
Just pay the guy, he is the best catcher in baseball..
Hey, I hate my dad too! He’s dead thank goodness.
That was darker than I expected reading today
This is probably the most sensible thing I’ve ever heard a player say about the arbitration process.
I get Realmuto’s point but honestly we need to just pay him. We need him.
You’re going to have him regardless. It’s just the amount of money he will get
Charlie Finley was right (he usually was)…..Free Agency has done nothing but help the game; meanwhile, arbitration has become a noose around everybody’s neck.
Get rid of it; grant Free Agency after 4 years. Let salaries get set by the market. It’s the American way. Not to mention it will usher in a real ‘Hot Stove” winter. Fans no longer identify with Player “A” or Player “B” anymore; too much familiarity with players on other teams. I grew up in the 60’s; how many times did I actually get to watch Willie Mays? 3 times a year?
Now I can watch every game Steve Duggar plays in his life. The days of Al Kaline=Detroit Tigers are long gone.
They’re not long gone just super rare. Jeter fit this, and as long as he doesn’t get traded Trout will too.
Phillies not extending him yet is bad on their part. They traded Sixto in the division.. If JT even hits free agency thats a bad job on their part.
Simply extending JT isn’t enough to justify trading Sixto within the division. It has to be on the cheap. A lot of noise was made about the Cubs manipulating Kris Bryant’s service time costing them any chance they might have had to extend him. But if they were to offer him, say, $300m tomorrow, he’s signing an extension. Regardless of who said or did what to whom. If the Phillies’ plan is to throw money at JT they would have been better off waiting until he was a FA.
I can see Realmuto taking over for Molina with the Cards next year. Realmuto looks like a Cardinals player.
Of course, the Cards will need to outbid the Yankees, Red Sox and Giants, all of whom will want Realmuto.
Seven years for $175 million to get a conversation going.
Not sure he’ll be as durable as Molina.
7? No.
I know saying JTR just “looks” like a Cardinal is 100% subjective..but ya I can see that too. Also, this might not be unrealistic for a contract. I was guessing 6 years/$130-$140 million as an extension but if he hits FA, then I think he could get a contract like that.
Paid a heavy price to get him
6 years 150 a year with mutual options for 7th and 8th year valued at 19 mill and 21 mill for a 8 year 190 mill contract.
While he’s an elite catcher and the best in the game catching is a defensive first position. Anything you get from offense is gravy if you got an elite defensive catcher.
Phillies shouldn’t break the bank to resign him if it’s gonna exceed 200 mill, which it most likely will.
Put the money in solidifying the rotation and pen next off season
But Phillies should go out and get get Betts and Price from the Red Sox. Howard, Stott, Medina, Moniak and De Los Santos
Posey’s 8/159 extension is the benchmark for the top catchers. Biggest difference is Posey was 3 years younger than Realmuto is now when he signed that contract. No franchise is going to go to $200M for a catcher who will be 30 in 2021.
Realistically, I think an extension would top around 6/135 ($22.5 AAV) at most. He is elite and probably will be the best catcher in baseball the next 2-3 years, his age will hamper his long term earning potential. Also, he understands and knows the Phillies are trying to stay under the CBT to have flexibility to add mid season and that’s why they probably haven’t budged and agreed to a deal before arbitration.
The Phillies need Realmuto more than he needs them but I think the Phillies know that and will work out a deal in ST or during the season.
Lastly, I think it’s asinine to assert trading anything for Price & Betts unless my sarcasm detector is broken. The Phillies have more pressing issues and have too much money tied up into big contracts already (Harper, Wheeler, etc.) before counting in possible Realmuto & Hoskins extensions. Spencer Howard is the best pitching prospect the Phillies have had since Cole Hamels and has legitimate #1 ace potential. While Stott may never be Brandon Crawford, he profiles as a ML regular who could be a plus WAR SS in 2-3 years. Adonis Medina profiles more as a BP arm like Dominguez but they need young power arms in that bullpen. While none of them may be as impactful as Betts has been in his best seasons, all of them combined would create positive value for the Phillies in the majors if everything pans out because they need players on cheap deals to balance out the amount of committed money they have for future seasons.
On March 29, 2013 Posey agreed to an eight-year contract extension worth $167 million, said by the Giants to be the most lucrative in franchise history. The contract wiped out three arbitration years and five years of free agency for Posey, locking in his services through the 2021 season with a club option for 2022. The agreement was the second largest in major league history for a catcher, exceeded only by that of Joe Mauer in 2010 with the Minnesota Twins.[
That was seven years ago. Seven years in MLB is a lifetime.
Oh wait……Joe Mauer!
On March 21, 2010, Mauer agreed to an eight-year contract extension with the Twins worth $184 million which took effect in the 2011 and ran through the 2018 season.[44][45] It was the richest contract paid to a catcher in the history of Major League Baseball
So Posey’s contract wasn’t the “benchmark”? Looks like the “benchmark” was set ten years ago at $184 million.
Yeah Realmuto is worth a seven for $175 million right now. $190 million next winter with potential to go above $200 million.
And how’d that Mauer contract work out?
It worked out great! the owners made millions off merchandise alone.
It worked out great! the owners made millions off merchandise alone.
Posey and Mauer both won MvP awards before those deals.Russell Martin is a better Realmuto comparison.
I wouldn’t give all that up for Betts and a 34 year old pitcher who hasn’t had a healthy season in 3 years
Good for JT! Catcher is by far the toughest position on the diamond. They deserve everything they can get.
The Phillies would have been wise to set their arbitration number at $11M. He was their most valuable player last year – doing it all the way he calls games, handles the staff and throws out baserunners. Not to mention his offense.
We have a recent place to start guessing at a contract extension: Yasmani Grandal. His contract was 4/73. JTR will obviously get more years and money. JTR is 2 years younger and a bit better than Grandal so maybe a 6 year contract between $130 to $140 million. That’s only an AAV increase by $3 to $5 million more.
I’m sure you’ve nailed where Klentak might go as a final offer. If Middleton doesn’t get involved than Realmuto is gone.
Just him and Mookie Betts next winter.
they need to lock him up long-term and soon. never wanna play waiting games with a player of J.T.’s impottance
I let out an audible guffaw at the Realpolitik line.
I let out an audible guffaw at the Realpolitik line.
Said earlier on this thread that I wouldn’t be surprised if they worked out a extension before the hearing.But I actually think the opposite,I think Realmuto wants to set the new bar in arbitration for catchers.But I still think they work out an extension at some point between arbitration and the season.