Barring extensions over the next couple of weeks, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto and Astros outfielder George Springer will enter free agency as the two best position players on the open market. Realmuto is by far the premier catcher slated to reach free agency, where other options such as James McCann (White Sox) and Yadier Molina (Cardinals) will pale in comparison. Likewise, Springer’s easily the top center field-capable player who could soon become available. The question now is whether Realmuto or Springer will make more on his next contract.
Realmuto, a soon-to-be 30-year-old who has been the majors’ most valuable catcher since 2017, has an opportunity to set a record in terms of annual earnings at his position. Former Twin Joe Mauer holds the record at eight years and $184MM on the extension he signed in 2010. Realmuto doesn’t seem to stand much chance of eclipsing Mauer’s total guarantee, but the $23MM per annum the ex-Minnesota standout raked in appears to be a realistic target.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Springer earn a similar amount on a yearly basis. Although he is older than Realmuto (31), Springer has been a star-level performer since his career began in 2014. And dating back to last season, Springer has slashed .284/.376/.576 with 53 home runs. He ranks seventh among qualified hitters in wRC+ (153) and ninth in fWAR (8.4) since 2019.
Unlike Realmuto, Springer probably isn’t going to set any kind of record for earning power at his position. However, that doesn’t mean Springer won’t out-earn Realmuto on a five- or six-year deal (which MLBTR expects the two to receive). Both players will be saddled with qualifying offers, but that shouldn’t dim teams’ enthusiasm if and when they hit the market. Which player do you think will wind up with a higher guarantee on his next pact?
(Poll link for app users)
I’d assume Realmuto because he is one of the best catchers I’n the game so the demand for him would be higher
Why close the comments on the Campusano article?
Because it will make our eyes red just looking at it, man.
It’s not a trade rumor and has a high potential to bring politics into the comments
See what I did there
Laughing@You, if it’s not a trade rumor and shouldn’t be commented on why is it on a site called MLB TRADE RUMORS?
Are you dense Black or just being a jerk?
It happened. It likely will directly impact/lead to a move from the padres this offseason, a move they wouldn’t have made if he wasn’t in trouble with the law. So it’s valid for fans to know about when they are trying to game plan a offseason outlook. Hence, it’s on the website
That doesn’t mean we have to know your and everyone else’s opinions about the laws, the legality, politics, whatever, which is very likely where that comment section was going. So… comment closed! Wooooo common sense!
Agreed. But up to ten years for less than three ounces of pot?
Why post it if you’re not allowing comments? That’s my issue.
Cmon man it’s not hard, even if you disagree
It will/likely will directly impact one or more moves for the Padres this offseason. As a rumor site, think of this scenario. The padres jump into the JTR sweepstakes. They likely wouldn’t be spending 100m+ on that position if this event did not happen. Doesn’t the potential unavailability of a top prospect who’s made the majors seem like an important caveat to mention?
So while they don’t want your opinion on if they punishment is extreme or perfect or not hard enough… it provides context that likely is necessary for this offseason Padre plans
Bc comments need to be policed. You’re high rick to say some thing politically incorrect
Bc that’s a lot of weed, in Georgia, 1-10 years for almost 3 oz
If it has to last him the whole off-season that is just like personal use, man. Get well soon Lebowski.
But it’s not a lot of weed.
It’s not much at all, especially during harvest season. I have easily 5 times that much drying in my shed right now.
Happy Croptober!
georgia sucks
If this were to end Campusano’s career, his career OPS+ would be 383. Ruth only managed a career OPS+ of 206.
Small sample size notwithstanding, he could have been one of the greats.
Steve Cohen will sign Realmuto .Mets will be big players in free Agents this off season
I can see that, but I don’t think that’s smart spending. The Mets need 3 starting pitchers, a shortstop and a CF more than Realmuto.
I’d rather the Mets sign Springer and trade Nimmo. I’m sure the Mets can try to flip Nimmo for a low-end #4 starter or a couple of mid level prospects. They will go hard after Bauer as well, and with Peterson having shown some ability I’m sure he’d be penciled in a a the #3 starter… They can also reach back out to Stroman and see if he’ll accept a QO or a new 3-year deal
Gimenez is the SS and we don’t need one. Watch him play and you’ll see.
Nimmo is limited defensively but is a elite a top 7 CF hitting so even if springer would be nice we could live with Nimmo.
3 SP is must but you’re not going to get 3 elite ones so realmuto is very affordable. Remember Mets have a ton of money coming of the payroll this year
it’s a mistake to give ANY catcher a six year extension at record setting money when they get to free agency. Of course it could work out, but that doesn’t mean it was the intelligent thing to do.
It’s going to be Springer and it’s not even going to be close!
How much longer can you expect Realmuto to stay behind the dish? Once you take him out from behind the plate he is a league average hitter, below league average for a first baseman.
Springer has a career OPS+ of 131 and a triple slash line of .269/.349/.546 in the playoffs.
Springer is going to get a higher AAV and a longer duration.
I’d assume Realmuto because he is one of the best catchers I’n the game so the demand for him would be higher than springers
I think Realmuto gets a higher per year amount, but Springer could get a longer contract that’ll yield a higher total guaranteed amount.
I think it’s going to be close, but I think Realmuto is just barely going to edge Springer out.
One thing that’s being overlooked on here isn’t the fact he can play outfield, it’s his bat, but more precisely the fact that he will be a producer the entire length of his 5yr/$120 deal and from anywhere in the top 4 of the lineup. I happen to think he’s a natural 3 hitter but goodness, 96 runs driven in from the leadoff spot 2 years ago?
That plays anywhere and he gets his share of walks.
He’s a high wire type of leader and any team that is looking for that type of excitable guy will find him in GS, in addition, if there is a young team out there (Mariners) who is taking it’s lumps, well, Springers been through that.
Realmuto is an outstanding catcher, but what kind of production are you getting out of him in years 4 and 5?
If you are looking to win now or soon and you need a catcher, then Realmuto is your guy.
If you have a young team and are looking toward (wildcard?) to the next step, plus be around when the window opens then Springer is the one.
Two very different players playing two very different spots, one likely has less productivity than the other as time goes by.
Probably Realmuto since he’s a catcher
Nobody but Houston will want springer is my guess
Why not? He’s one of the best offensive OF’s (nevermind that he can play CF) in the game… and if you’re going with the whole “cheating thing” … he still put up solid numbers this year in limited games. I would think just about every team in baseball would want Springer in their lineup.
Washington could absolutely use him. With him, it’s going to be the years.
I voted Springer. I think Realmuto wins in AAV, but Springer gets more money overall with a longer deal.
I’m with you, Leafy. Realmuto is a 30 year old catcher with recent injury history. The length of his contract should be shorter, but higher in AAV.
We should be comparing apples to apples in terms of length.
If Springer comes in at 5yr/$120 what will Realmuto come in at over 5 years?
Realmuto likely gets 3 years, who will catch the other two, and at what price? I’m betting that the entire 5 year coverage at catcher will come in well below GS money.
I think Springer is the far superior offensive player, and probably going to age better than Realmuto… at least from the perspective that Springer can move to RF/LF towards the end of the deal and won’t have all the years of wear and tear of a catcher on his knees/body. Having said all that… because Realmuto plays such a premier position… I still think it’s possible he’ll wind up with more $. Though if I were a GM I think I’d be more willing to give Springer the longer/bigger deal given that he’s the better hitter and can shift to RF/LF as he loses a step or two defensively if needed.
JT may earn on an AAV but no way he gets more years and guaranteed than Springer.
Agree
Ozuna is a better player than both of them.
Ozuna offers more power than Realmuto but is not as good as Springer defensively. Ozuna would benefit greatly from the National League adopting the DH full time
Are you trolling? Springer’s lowest OPS+ of his career is 114. Ozuna has only had an OPS+ higher than 114 twice.
And that’s just the offensive side. Defensively there is no comparison.
takeitback:
Well, you’re correct, but why are you citing OPS+? While I really like OPS+ for overall value the issue was specifically about power. A large part of OPS+ is OBP,. ISO (isolated power) is a much better yardstick for that. Springer has a career ISO of .222, while Ozuna’s is .190. Even SLG would have been a better stat to use than OPS+.
Based on supply and demand I don’t think this is a contest. Realmuto wins hands down. Right handed outfielders can be had and Springer is already 31. I could easily see Realmuto getting 8/160 from the Yankees or even the Phillies. Heck, the Mets might go large on a catcher.
I don’t think the Yankees pull this one off. Steinbrenner’s son wants to be below the luxury tax and the bidding will be fierce on JT.
I think if you just write “Steinbrenner,” everyone will know who you’re referring to.
Yeah, I think that acquisition could really tip the balance for the Yankees but he’s far too conservative and prioritizes the business aspect too much to get JT.
Steinbrenner is satisfied to continue making money off the Yankee brand, as long as they have a chance, and doesn’t have that same desire to win.
CFs with offense cant be had. Realmuto has to great offensive seasons to springers 5
Padres458:
While I agree that CFs with offense aren’t readily available, they’re still not as rare as good defensive catchers with offense. I love George Springer, he’s capable with the glove, but has never been a great CF.
Eight years is too long for a 30 year old catcher. Probably closer to 5/$120MM.
But we’ve seen teams do it before on players they want
Arte: hold my beer!
How many players can play center and leadoff with the production level of springer? He’s in a class of his own. Even if he moves to left down the road. Left is way more valuable than 1st/dh and that’s where realmuto will most likely spend most of his time in 3 years. Springer is the better option by far.
There’s no way a 30 y/o catcher gets an 8 year offer from anyone. He might get 4/100 maybe someone will add an option for a 5th year. But no more than that.
Dave is correct in my opinion. Realmuto is one of very maybe three total players in the entire league at his position that can be compared. Springer’s talents are more ubiquitous. Plus, I’m sure teams will question, right or wrong, exactly how much of his offensive prowess over the years cane from the advantage of knowing pitches ahead of time.
JT 4 years and $110M. Springer 5 years and $125M
Ok Let’s dive deep into this.
First, Springer: He is the clear best outfielder available, but that doesn’t mean that there are no good options, Brantley, Ozuna, Pederson, Puig, Profar, Grossman, and JBJ are other viable options after that. He is going to go to a team with 1. money, and 2. a contending attitude. That includes teams like the Mets, White Sox, Red Sox and Astros. With that being said, postseason experience will also play into this derision as well, and Springer is a great case of that as he is one of the best postseason hitters ever. People are also hating on Springer right now because they say he isn’t a center fielder anymore, and to that I say yes and no. Yes, he still can. You could stick him out there for a game and you probably wouldn’t notice, he still covers ground and can flash some leather too. No, because I think he will move to a corner spot full time (which might impact his value).
Realmuto: Best catcher in baseball. When you have a guy that performs that well at such a premier position, he is going to get paid. Despite the lack of postseason experience, he is still the best catcher in baseball, and that will show come the off-season. Also the lack of competition in the catcher market this off-season will cause bids to rise, and maybe we see some emotion based decisions be made in a gung-ho manner. Lastly, he is also one of the youngest catchers on the market this off-season which will be important to teams who see him as a long term option.
Answer: At the beginning I was thinking Springer, but the way Realmuto leads a team and also performs so well is un-like any other. Realmuto gets more.
Boston Red Sox are not contending next year!To believe they are is funny!
Springer unfortunately heads to free agency on the wrong side of 30 and coming off of the Astros cheating scandal in a winter when we don’t know how supressed the market for many teams will be. He may not get a mega contract as we don’t really know how the league is going to view Astros free agents in a bubble.
Realmuto plays a premium defensive position behind the dish and offers solid offense at the dish so its likely he will get the bigger deal
Realmuto is going into his age 30 season.
I expect Springer to get way less than he’s asking for because of his ties with the Asstros. I wouldn’t be surprised if he signs with the Orioles or Pirates.
There’s no way that happens. The Astros will pay him if no one else wants him.
Lol. Everybody cheats. Accept it
hope the cheater gets no offers!
They are both great players. Sprinter >Realmulto
Jays need both.
The Yankees don’t need JT. They need to trade Sanchez and possibly bring back Romine. The Yankees need to also look to trade Voit and sign Didi. Don’t underestimate the Value of that lefty bat to complete the lineup.
YES, BRING DD BACK, NOW
For me, it comes to needing to know if “more money” means higher AAV or more total money. Realmulto former, Springer latter.
This is interesting. I feel like JT is the better player, but I also think it’s more likely Springer gets 7 or more years than it is JT gets that long. I’m going springier thinking he’ll end up similar aav, maybe lower than JT, but more likely to get a longer deal as an OF than a C. 30+ Catchers break down more than not.
Will be fun to watch, because I think they negotiate against each other for the same free agent dollars
Springer is a class act. Would love for him to stay in Houston.
I project Realmuto to max out around 5/$120M or 6/$140M
and Springer to get around 5/$90M.
The non cheater will get the bigger contract
Hard to judge but outfielder vs a catcher
Jt won’t stay there long term
Probably Springer. Despite position scarcity, catchers generally don’t get huge contracts. Believe only Mauer and Posey have ever cracked $100 mil.
I think those preferring Springer are putting too much emphasis on the offense. CF is an important position, but not nearly as important as catcher. Catcher is THE most important position on the field by far. Catcher controls the game. He has to handle pitchers, call the game, frame, and block balls in the dirt, not to mention throwing out base stealers. So if you can get a guy good at those things that can also hit, he’s way more valuable than a capable CF, no matter how good that guy hits (Trout being the lone exception).
4-5 years of JTR behind the plate is way more valuable than 6-7 years of Springer in CF. Plus we all know Springer won’t be in CF for all those years. In fact, if he signs with a team with a good defensive CF he may have already played his last game as a full-time CF.
Any team that signs Springer had better get used to alot of heckling if fans are allowed in the stands. Noone has forget about the trash can gang yet.
Great question.
Realmuto is the more valuable player but catchers usually don’t break the bank on the open market and age poorly so I actually think Springer actually gets a bigger guarantee because he can easier fit on a greater number of teams than Realmuto can.
The Posey contract is turning out pretty poorly for the Giants and that’s by far the biggest contract for a catcher in baseball history so that will be on team’s minds as they ponder making Realmuto an offer while even if Springer declines as a defender he can still be a good DH towards the end of his career.
Oops, I forgot the Mauer deal, that one also turned out awful towards the end.
Again, the track record for big catcher deals is not good and I think that will work against Realmuto.
A bit selective I’d say. How about Matt Kemp, or Carl Crawford? The Stanton contract isn’t looking too good now for down the road. I doubt the Bryce Harper contract will be very pretty at the end either And I think even the Mookie Betts’ contract will be ugly, when he’s owed almost $33M in 2032 when he’s 39.
Name one big contract for an OF that didn’t look bad at the end. Teams don’t expect to get big production for every year of a contract regardless of position. I’ll take the guy that’s the best at the most important position on the field, even if it sours at the end.
He’s talking catchers. Because realmuto is a catcher. There’s only a few catchers to sign for 100M and it’s pretty universal the deals ended with the player a part time player and a shell of himself. Add Russ Martin to Posey+Mauer
The list of outfielders who have earned their 100M contract far exceeds the list of catchers, both in pure number and percentage of likelihood. Of course there are bad contracts anywhere. You can’t predict health.
But it’s a better bet an OF is going to be putting up respectable starting numbers at 37 than a catcher
This is a tough call.. If Realmuto doesn’t age well defensively, a contract of say, $100 million+, could look very bad. He’s a good hitter but certainly not great So much of his value comes from his defensive prowess, but will he have a sharp decline in a couple years… Springer is probably a better hitter, and I would say easily so if not for the cheating. He was very good this year but in only 60 games, of course.. I’ll go with Realmuto.
Realmuto – 5/$125 option for 6th year at 25
Springer – 5/$102 option for 6th at 18
I think Springer. Or at least it should be. Investing in a 30 year old catcher is not a great idea because the position fades fast. Realmuto might arguably be the best catcher but I’m not sold on him, especially in the long run.
Just look at Joe Mauer- that deal didn’t end so well.
Just look at Molina.
JT is ALREADY breaking down, STAY AWAY…
How do you figure? His avg looks solid, HR good, OBP and Such all fine. Other than his age, there is nothing to suggest that he doesn’t command a strong contract
His hips for one
Hips are pretty important to catching. And hitting.
I’d say JT cause great catchers are hard to find. But who knows in this environment. Wouldn’t shock me to see a record-breaking dip in contract values
I’m a Phillies fan. JT has been great. He was out for 11 games this season, and we were still competitive. Don’t misunderstand me JT is the best C in the game. As a Phillies fan, Springer or Ozuna would add more to the Phillies, then spending 25-30 million on a 30 yr old catcher. The 2 teams in the World Series have 2 journey men C. Nats had Suzuki As a C. Spending big money on a C, doesn’t pay. Ozuna or Springer sure up our OF both defensively and Offensively. As a Phillies fan. I would like to resign DIdi, either Springer or Ozuna, and a SP, oh yeah and try to restructure the worst BP in baseball. Thanks JT for 2 great seasons.
You’re forgetting about the Phillies’ horrid defense. They are like the Mets in that respect. I agree that signing Realmuto to a megadeal is risky, but he was a Phillies rarity in that he was good with the glove. Losing him and Didi would make them worse on defense. Knapp is okay with the glove but will have to be paired with someone else. Btw, Ozuna would not shore up the defense. Just the opposite. He would drag down what is already a shaky defensive outfield. The new GM will have a difficult job if Middleton wants the team to contend in 2021. Who they hire will speak volumes about the future direction of the franchise.
Both players will be rewarded by a new team for having their best years for somebody else.
Forget the whole cheating thing. Just player vs player, I’d take JT every day of the week. He is an exceptional athlete and a smart ball player. Springer brings a lot tot he table, but his skill set doesn’t exceed the competition at this position the way JT does. He runs like Kendall, handles his pitchers like Yadi, hits like Mauer.
I am hoping the Tigers are waiting in the weeds to see if a depressed market provides an opportunity to make a big splash. Either of these players would help their needs immediately, and provide veteran presence in the clubhouse. Both Pudge and Ordonez came to Detroit when others were not willing to go the years. Both C and LF are currently in pencil with Springer and JTR being better options.
Springer has more playoff experience and success, he gets my vote.
As a Mets fan would love to get Springer to play LF 5/$100 ?
Sign Bauer and a couple of Rp’s
The Mets have a lot of $$ coming off the books in Cespedes,Wacha,Ramos,Stroman,Porcello,Lowrie, Betances and a couple others if not resigned like Rosario and a couple of Rp’s..
Call the Red Sox for C.Vazquez and Eovaldi maybe offer them Dom Smith,Matz and a minor leaguer or 2
2021 rotation till Syndergaard gets back: deGrom,Bauer,Eovaldi,Peterson and Lugo
Lineup: Springer,Nimmo,Alonso,Conforto,JD Davis,Cano(DH),McNeil,Vazquez and Gimenez
You can take on another 2 years and about 100 million to your suggested Springer contract.