With the winter fast approaching and time running out for an in-season extension, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto will “likely” try his hand on the open market, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia observes. However, general manager Matt Klentak suggested Monday that the Phillies and Realmuto have at least discussed a new contract since the season began. “That’s not true,” Klentak said of a report that the two sides hadn’t talked, though Salisbury notes that the executive was loath to give more detailed updates. Regardless of where he signs, it’ll be fascinating to see how much Realmuto rakes in as a soon-to-be 30-year-old backstop whose trip to free agency will come off a pandemic-shortened season. Realmuto has continued to make an emphatic case for a mega-deal, though, as the two-time All-Star has once again been the game’s premier catcher in 2020.
Here’s more from baseball’s East divisions…
- The Blue Jays have been without shortstop Bo Bichette for two weeks because of a knee sprain, though manager Charlie Montoyo said Tuesday that “he’s progressing pretty good,” according to Scott Mitchell of TSN. Bichette, if he returns, could be a huge down-the-stretch pickup for a Blue Jays club that has legitimate playoff aspirations. He began the year with a superb .361/.391/.672 line and five home runs in 64 plate appearances before going to the IL. Shortstop has become a weakness for Toronto since Bichette went down, but the team did acquire veteran Band-Aid Jonathan Villar from Miami prior to Monday’s trade deadline.
- Speaking of those two teams, Marlins right-hander Elieser Hernandez exited his start against Toronto on Tuesday with a sore lat muscle, the Fish announced. He’s listed as day to day, but manager Don Mattingly revealed Hernandez will undergo an MRI, Craig Mish of Sports Grid relays. Any kind of absence for Hernandez over the season’s last month would be an unwelcome development for the surprising Marlins, who are in playoff contention thanks in part to his contributions. With a 2.81 ERA and 11.92 K/9 against 1.75 BB/9, the 25-year-old Hernandez has given Miami front-line production across 25 2/3 innings.
- Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke admitted Tuesday that injured left fielder Andrew Benintendi might not return this season, per Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. Benintendi headed to the IL on Aug. 12 with a right rib cage strain, which continued a miserable start to the 2020 campaign for the 26-year-old. If he is done for the year, he’ll end it with a .103/.314/.128 line and no homers in 52 trips to the plate.
I just hope Benni gets himself right.
I really hope Benintendi does come back this season… obviously not because the Red Sox are playing for anything but because I want to be able to see if he is actually going to get back on track or if he’s really just fallen off the face of the earth production wise. He has declined every year since his rookie year and while he was still decent last year — if he’s going to continue to go backwards and not take steps forward to becoming the guy the Sox thought they had blossoming into a star/at least everyday player — then obviously that’s yet another hole to have to fill for next year. But if he doesn’t come back then there’s no way to know where he stands and if he’s the .280+ hitter with 20/20 HRs/SBs or the guy who couldn’t seem to hit anything to start the year. I know most likely he’s not actually a .100 hitter!! But still it would really be good to see where he stands going into the off-season.
So you discredit the small sample size from the beginning of the year but are going to base your idea of his future production on a small sample size at the end? Seems odd.
He never was this blossoming star they predicted he would be, that’s the point. They said he was the next Fredd Lynn. We should have traded him when we had the chance, we could’ve gotten a lot back and fixed this “hole.”
Benintendi is definitely nothing like Fred Lynn. Lynn was an incredible player. At this point Benintendi is more like Blake Swihart.
He’s already done way better than Swihart. They asked him to bat lead off which was new for him. he tried to be prototypical for a lead off hitter, changed his game and skimmed down… it didn’t work. Then they told him he wasn’t hitting for enough power so he bilked up. Didn’t work.
He’s not Fred Lynn or anyone else. They should just let him play his game, slot him in 6th or 7th and let him be the “Trot Nixon” player he probably is, no shame in that.
Yeah there’s typos in that.
I’m not disagreeing there.
He was better in his sophomore campaign than in his rookie season
He put on a lot of muscle before 2019 and he wasn’t good. He lost that weight before this season and he’s been worse. Who knows what Benny really is.
This is spot on from Mike Dickinson. He bulked up as a leadoff hitter and then a small sample size this year. I would’ve tried to package him with maybe a reliever but you would be selling low, especially injured in this short year. I think he hit his peak early and now the decline has happened since.
Selling low is at least selling for something.
Should have been dealt before the pandemic. Possibly CB’s biggest mistake so far. He had real value even after a poor 2019. Now?
He’s Pat Listach
should have been clear since he wanted to go to arbitration that JT wanted to test the market. he wants to set a new standard for his position.
JT should surpass Joe Mauer contract.
Mauer got that contract because catchers who hit .360 are once every 50 year catchers and he was the number 2 overall pick for his hometown team…. something around Yadier’s 5/75 sounds except with today’s numbers more like 5/100 sounds more realistic…. if prime Yadier didn’t get mauer money jt likely won’t… and no I’m not saying prime yadier was definitely better but when you take into account what he meant to the franchise argument could be made that he was more important then jt is now
Hit the nail on the head. The Mauer, Molina, Posey deals were franchise-player types from organizations that had them from the beginning. While Realmuto is elite, and I think he will top $100 million, I’d be floored if his ultimate number creeps near $200 million. That’s just not a contract any competent team wants on their books.
JTR is a superstar & franchise type player playing a premium position. There will be no shortage of suiters lining up to pay him.
I believe he will ultimately re-sign with the Phils but it will cost them dearly. And it would not suprise me one bit if he becomes the highest paid C in history.
Depends on when the Mets’ sale is completed. What other splash players will be free agents this off season with Mookie off the board. It’s a position the team needs. Not sure Philly gets into a bidding war.
He is not a Super star! Not even close.
Following this season it’s unlikely any player has teams “lining up” to pay them. JTR will get a good contract, but it’s not likely he goes anywhere near Maurer’s deal, and doesn’t have his pick of ludicrous contracts to sign. At the top-end he’s looking at something in the 5yr/$120 range; he’d probably get a higher AAV going shorter, though (3/$84 or something like that).
“franchise-player types from organizations that had them from the beginning.”
That would be a good point if it wasn’t discredited by every free agent contract. Record breaking contracts come from a player changing team in the last few years. Harper, Machado, Cole. Turns out teams and players will negotiate the same no matter the FEELS you have for the city or the player.
If Realmuto isn’t a superstar it is only because of persona and not from production. From production he is in the Elite class of players.
I agree. He’s very good, but this talk that he’s elite and a superstar is an over evaluation. He had a 108 OPS+ last year and 111 for his career. He’s a decent hitter…for a catcher. He doesn’t have a high OBP because his walk rate is medium to low, and he turns 30 for the start of his new contract. Some team is likely about to get burned here.
JTR is a star player, who is a top 3 catcher, but “superstar” is way over the top. His defense certainly is but offensively, while good is way below “superstar” level…..so overall he’s good but no “superstar”!
If he, at his age, and considering both his offensive and defensive game becomes the highest paid catcher in history….this is nothing but a condemnation of his current piers at the position and a result of baseball today!
He is the best hitting and the best defensive catcher in the game outside of Hedges. If that isn’t superstar production what do you need?
He is the best hitting catcher. That’s like saying he is the skinniest guy at fat camp. And the skinniest guy at fat camp may still weigh over 300 pounds.
.278/.328/.456/.784 with 20-HR per year is not superstar offensive production.
But he’s so much better than almost every other dude that can play catcher. That increases his value tenfold. It’s like the guy at fat camp who smuggled in the only cake and he’s selling it. It may not be a particularly good cake, and inexpensive normally, but trust me, there’s gonna be a bidding war.
Gonna guess that he won’t get $184 million.
Not gonna happen at age 30. Though he doesn’t suck either.
Mets new owner, Cohen, will look to make headlines. Realmuto is a likely possibility
So who signs him? BvW has really put his foot in his mouth but with a new boss and ties to Realmuto, that could bring him back.
Sorry Dug and Run. I basically just wrote the same thing before scrolling down,
Whether the Mets (as suggested above) or the Yanks , JT’s going to Broadway next year, sure as God made dem little green apples. The Turtle for the Mets is done; Sanchez has worn out his welcome with the Yanks. There might indeed be a bidding war.
Yankees need pitching. I don’t see them involved here. Mets definitely, but I think the Yankees won’t be a serious contender for J.T.
Dem green apples? Wth is going on here?
Or JTR could seek a second ring in Philadelphia…..
Philly have a good Zales in the mall?
Franklin Mills? King of Prussia? Springfield? Governor’s Place?
Wouldn’t he be worrying about the first ring before the second?
As I’ve said so many times, if PHI hasn’t extended Realmuto by now, they’re never going to. He’ll be a UFA after the season, and I truly believe the Mets are the odds on favorite to give him what he’s looking for. Phils SEEM to like him, but not enough to keep him.
Not saying Realmuto won’t be on a new team, but this is a bad take. He wants to test free agency. The fact that he hasn’t signed an extension now means nothing. His goal was always the open market. Whomever opens their wallets the most will have JTR. Be it the Phillies, Mets or any other team.
And will be sorry if it’s more than four years. Although some catchers age better than others, is it a wise investment to go more?
If you can shift him to 1B or DH later on and have him help a promising young catcher maybe.
How can you say the Mets are the “odds-on favorite”? Their ownership is in transition, and who knows when it will be completed. There’s a lot that needs to happen before a new owner is approved and the deal is closed, and then he takes over. If it’s Steve Cohen no one knows how he’ll approach ownership, and it’s doubtful he comes to the closing with a check for Realmuto as well.
The Mets may very well sign him, but the odds-on favorite has to be the Phillies. Familiarity, the exclusive ability to negotiate right now (as well as five days into the offseason), and an owner who’s shown a willingness to spend big dollars. I’m not saying it’s a foregone conclusion JTR returns to Philly, but right now they have a better chance of that happening than any of the other 29 clubs. In November, it’s a different story. (There’s also a possibility of Covid once again shutting down the country (wrongly), thereby rendering it impossible for teams to conduct in-person physicals; in that event, JTR will have trouble securing nine figure deals from teams that haven’t seen his medicals…another advantage for the Phillies.
JT will be a Phillie without a doubt through next 6 years Given the DH now a part of the NL , his value long term increases. He has become the heart and soul of the team along with Harper. Look for owner Middleton to sit down with him soon (as a matter of respect) which Middleton understands, and dispense with formalities. Just like he ultimately did with Harper and his wife, and they will get down to the nitty gritty. Somewhere in the middle will get them to a deal which will make him the the highest paid catcher in 2021. A deal structured along the lines of Betts but lesser numbers than Betts will work. Remember everyone knows that money is coming off the books for the Phils after the season which will make this deal painless. Didi must be retained too. Girardi has become a huge voice in Middleton’s ear. Didi is part of core that gels so why mess with chemistry. The way Hoskins performs the rest of the way will be interesting. Avoiding another prolonged slump will keep him in Philly. He is clicking now and seems to have a new aggressive approach dispensing with “taking” the first five offerings. It is known that his name came up with one team during the recent trade deadline. Phils made one last demand which was rejected or a first line starter would be in pinstripes now.
I do think he stays a Philly, but he’s not DH material. You want an impact bat there. As I noted above, he’s a good hitter for a catcher, but his numbers for his career would be below average as a DH. His value is as a catcher who can hit compared to his peers, meaning other catchers.
Watching JT day in and day out it would be hard to imagine ANY catcher performing as well or better with all of his talents. He is fast and smart on the bases. He cuts down base stealers at a higher rate than any other current catcher in either league. Blocking pitches in the dirt and framing pitches is a clinic every game! Does he have a weakness? Unfortunately for the next owner that must compensate him up, NO! As to his hitting…the guy has markedly since arriving in Philly from the Marlins. He is reliable and skilled in hitting to all fields. Power has consistency fits into the Phils lineup with Harper, Hoskins, Didi, Cutch and now Boehm. Can he DH? When Joe has DH’ed him, he has come through.
His value is totally lost once he moves off catcher
The Mets have a lot of $$ coming off the books next year in Cespedes,Wacha,Porcello,Ramos,Stroman,Betances and a few others like Rosario lol
They need Realmuto
A couple of SP’s maybe Bauer and Ray ?
A couple of BP guys
Money coming off the books means nothing as if the sale collapses, current ownership has big time payments maturing and will not spend like fans will hope. Similarly, if new ownership comes in, they will spend immediately to set a tone regardless of the team’s present payroll obligations.
“Sure, we’ll just sign two of the top free agent starting pitchers and we’ll be fine!” Half the teams in mlb say this every off-season and it never happens. The Mets will have to bid against a lot of other teams to get Bauer and Ray. Starting pitching is gold, it’s not easy to get.
Sixto Sanchez and Jorge Alfaro are worth a combined $55m in surplus value according to BTV. So that is how big of a discount JTR must take to sign with the Phillies in order to justify the trade. Unless of course they make a deep playoff run and he contributes.
JTR has already justified the trade by continuing to cement himself as superstar and best C in baseball. He does not owe the Phils anything nor take any discount…
“In order to justify the trade.”
This perspective makes no sense… How about the value Realmuto has provided the Phillies since the trade? Gonna factor that in?
@coolwinnebago I get the vibe that the Phillies’ only goal in trading for Realmuto is to try and extend him. Which is a ridiculous strategy, but hey.
But Marlins sure are happy with the return…
Klentak will not be negotiating many more deals, if any, for the Phils.
Bo cannot come back fast enough. Took only a few innings to realize Villar cannot handle SS. Wonder if the team is better with Villar at 2B over Shaw at 3B. They probably are but not by much. Jays need Bo back as soon as possible.
Benintendi is a joke. Never evolved into a great hitter and a terrible leadoff guy. I also heard he’s not the nicest guy. I know this is stupid and that I will get backlash for it, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I would have rather kept Pillar and traded Benintendi (if he weren’t injured of course).
Bloom said lots of nice things about Bradley and there is speculation that the Red Sox might resign him in free agency, but I would rather have Pillar than Bradley. Beni is under team control through 2022, so if he can right himself somewhat he might be useful next year or at least increase his value for trading.
JT will be a Phillie without a doubt through next 6 years Given the DH now a part of the NL , his value long term increases. He has become the heart and soul of the team along with Harper. Look for owner Middleton to sit down with him soon (as a matter of respect) which Middleton understands, and dispense with formalities. Just like he ultimately did with Harper and his wife, and they will get down to the nitty gritty. Somewhere in the middle will get them to a deal which will make him the the highest paid catcher in 2021. A deal structured along the lines of Betts but lesser numbers than Betts will work. Remember everyone knows that money is coming off the books for the Phils after the season which will make this deal painless. Didi must be retained too. Girardi has become a huge voice in Middleton’s ear. Didi is part of core that gels so why mess with chemistry. The way Hoskins performs the rest of the way will be interesting. Avoiding another prolonged slump will keep him in Philly. He is clicking now and seems to have a new aggressive approach dispensing with “taking” the first five offerings. It is known that his name came up with one team during the recent trade deadline. Phils made one last demand which was rejected or a first line starter would be in pinstripes now.
This is absolutely the worst Red Sox team that I have ever seen. I have been a fan of the Red Sox since 1974. Can understand about EROD and Sale being hurt, but the throwaways Bloom picked up from other teams were atrocious. Now I am hearing from Lou Merloni that they will be competitive in 2021. Low Merloni is saying the team will be competitive in 2022. Are you kidding me that I have to suffer through another year of this. John Henry should absolutely be embarrassed of the product he put on the field this year. Unless he picks up players particularly pitching fans are not paying to see this inferior product on the field.
Oh no. My team has to rebuild for a couple years!!!! Seriously you sound like a spoiled 16 year old brat that got the wrong color Ferrari for their birthday.
No just a fan watching an inferior product on the field that is not a cool aid drinker. We are not a pauper team like Tampa Bay is. We are a Major Market Team that should be putting a better product on the field than is currently there. Next year they need about 4 relief pitchers, a closer, and two starters (good ones) not other team throwaways
Big market teams have down times, too. It’s not like, hey we’re in Boston so we should wave a magic wand and never have a losing season…. This should be a quick rebuild as they’ve acknowledged it needs to be done and have the resources to do so. They’ll spend when it makes sense to. You can’t turn a bad team into a contender through free agency in one season.
So you’re saying your fanhood is worth more than a Rays fanhood is? Imagine being that entitled.
Tell that to the 2013 RED SOX!!!!!!
Benny has turned into a head case… needs to focus better. His eyes seem to wonder instead of following ball to bat constantly
I have no idea what happened to him as a player. Right now he is a mess and they have to get him straightened out!
If the Sox get can a decent lead off guy and have Benny bat second I think he’ll have a netter year next year. When the Sox has a good/great lead off guy Benny has been somewhat productive
You’re “supposed” to slot your best hitter at 2 in the lineup… is that Benintendi?