The Phillies formally announced their re-signing of catcher J.T. Realmuto this morning. Realmuto, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and manager Rob Thomson were all on hand for a media session conducted over Zoom shortly thereafter. Dombrowski, fielding questions regarding the reported pursuit of Bo Bichette and the late pivot back to Realmuto, candidly acknowledged that his club did indeed feel it was close to closing a deal with Bichette before the Mets jumped in following Kyle Tucker‘s deal with the Dodgers.
“I can’t say that we ever thought it was done,” Dombrowski said when asked if he’d felt they had an agreement in place with Bichette. “We thought we were very close to having a deal done. We thought it was going to happen, but it wasn’t done. … Until you sign a memo of understanding, you don’t have a deal done — and we did not sign one of those. It wasn’t that we weren’t moving toward that direction. It isn’t that we didn’t think we were going to get there. But we just did not get to that point.”
The Bichette talks were serious enough that Dombrowski acknowledged informing Realmuto’s camp that they were likely to go in another direction and wouldn’t be able to make both signings happen at this time. When they got word of Bichette’s deal with the Mets, Dombrowski said he was back on the phone with Realmuto and his agent within an hour or so — his only interim call going to owner John Middleton, to keep him apprised of the situation. The veteran baseball operations executive conceded that it’s a “gut punch” anytime free agent or trade negotiations get to that stage and don’t culminate in a deal before adding, “you can’t just wallow in what took place” and that he had to simply “shake it off” and continue trying to improve his club. Notably, he added that the Phils were never interested in a short-term, opt-out-laden contract with Bichette.
Given that the Phillies were willing to offer a reported $190-200MM to Bichette over a seven-year term, it’s fair to wonder whether there might be some forthcoming additions. Realmuto, after all, commanded less than 25% of that sum in total. Dombrowski, however, at least strongly implied that his club is done with significant spending this winter. Asked about the lingering availability of impact names like Framber Valdez and Cody Bellinger, Dombrowski declined to get into specifics regarding any particular free agent but demurred to say:
“I really can’t speak to that, by the baseball rules — because they’re free agents — but I’d just say I think we’re content where we are at this point.”
With Realmuto back in the fold, the Phillies’ current payroll (as projected by RosterResource) sits just over $281MM. They’re at more than $317MM worth of luxury obligations, meaning they’d pay a 110% tax on any subsequent additions to the roster. Based on the Bichette pursuit, it seems Middleton was willing to extend further beyond the current price of the roster, but not that the Phillies have the proverbial money burning a hole in their pockets.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for some smaller-scale additions. Dombrowski alluded to the potential of bringing in some depth options for the rotation. He also candidly confirmed on the record that the team plans to move on from Nick Castellanos in some capacity. Castellanos is owed $20MM this season — the last of a five-year, $100MM contract signed in the 2021-22 offseason. Asked point-blank if he still “expect[s] to make a change of scenery [for Castellanos] before spring training opens,” Dombrowski replied: “Yes, we do. We still plan on doing that.”
A change of scenery has been presumed for months now. The Athletic’s Matt Gelb reported early in the winter that the Phils were likely to either trade or release Castellanos. The latter has seemed likelier all along, if only because finding a taker for even part of Castellanos’ salary is a tall order. The 33-year-old (34 in March) hit .250/.294/.400 with 17 home runs last season — about 10% worse than league-average, by measure of wRC+. That lack of offensive help was coupled with more bottom-of-the-scale defense in the outfield, the second-worst walk rate and average exit velocity of his career, and the lowest hard-hit rate he’s ever posted.
It’s feasible that as spring draws nearer, the Phillies might find a buy-low taker willing to pay a few million of the deal. Even getting someone to take on $2MM of that remaining $20MM would actually trim $4.2MM off the Phillies’ 2026 budget, given the previously mentioned 110% tax they’re paying on every dollar over the top luxury threshold. Clubs like the Pirates, Reds and Royals have been looking for more bats all offseason and could theoretically roll the dice on a hopeful rebound. Other clubs could come calling if they incur some injuries in spring training. For now, Castellanos remains on the roster.
One other item of note from today’s media session included a brief update on injured ace Zack Wheeler. The 35-year-old righty underwent thoracic outlet surgery in late September, and a timeline on his return has been murky. That’s generally still true, but both Dombrowski and Thomson noted that Wheeler has been throwing from flat ground and is up to a distance of 90 feet. Thomson added that Wheeler had a “heavy” workload last week and is expected to be at the team’s spring complex for more throwing on Thursday.
“No timetable, but so far the reports have been good,” Thomson said of his veteran righty.
Wheeler was diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome late in the season. It’s an ominous injury but the less severe form of TOS (as opposed to neurogenic TOS). Venous TOS comes with blood clots that can be life threatening but, as D-backs righty Merrill Kelly explained to Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post several years ago, a “more straightforward” diagnosis and recovery. (Kelly pitched nearly a full season in 2021, the year after his venous TOS procedure, and has since done the best work of his career over the past four seasons.)
The original timetable for Wheeler was six to eight months, though every rehab process is unique and contingent upon the individual pitcher’s body. It’s encouraging that Wheeler appears to be on track, but the fact that he’s not yet working off a mound with only three weeks until pitchers and catchers report doesn’t bode well for hitting the shorter end of that window. A six-month return would’ve put Wheeler in games by late March, just prior to Opening Day. Eight months would set him back until around Memorial Day weekend. The Phillies will surely have plenty of updates as spring training progresses.
In Wheeler’s absence, the Philadelphia rotation will include Cy Young runner-up Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola and Taijuan Walker. Longtime top prospect Andrew Painter is the current favorite for the fifth spot, but he has yet to make a major league debut and struggled in Triple-A last year during his return season from Tommy John surgery. Righties Yoniel Curet, Alan Rangel and Jean Cabrera are all on the 40-man roster, but none of that trio has a major league start under his belt. Adding at least one veteran swingman or starter, if not two, seems like a prudent course of action — even if it’s only on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
Press conference was not needed. Just get to work DD.
lol, take a breath bud
Maybe just go after Chris Paddack/trade for Emmanuel De Jesus in Spring Training?
You’d think KC could offer a low level prospect for Casty if Philly pays down 19mil.
dougdeb as a Royals fan why would we? He’s washed. I wouldn’t give a bag of balls for him
Casty can still hit lefties and he’ll cost basically the league minimum. So no risk other than a borderline prospect. KC had a big need last year for outfield/DH. Is that no longer the case?
As a Reds fan, give me Hays or Andujar well before Casty
What would the Pirates lose in taking a flier on Castellanos at a reduced rate?
Could the Phillies get a reliever in return? Or a back end starter? Maybe if the Phillies throw in prospect outside of their top five?
Or just resign Walker Buehler, Harrison Bader and wait until Wheeler comes back so you don’t have to take a loss every fifth day with T. Walker and might have to get a PTBNL for Castellanos and eat some of that stupid money.
Nothing, at league minimum they can only gain by whatever production he gives and the players they receive if he produces enough to be traded at the deadline
They’d lose a roster spot
Remember, he whined earlier in his career when he was with Detroit; said the field was too big. Now that he’s washed up and cant field or hit, i cant imagine him in Pittsburgh or even KC.
This Casty must be a piece of work.
If you look around the league and see the outfield options for all teams, Nick should find a taker if we pay down the vast majority of his last year of the deal and get a lottery ticket in return.
He has more potential for a decent year at the plate than others, and some team might like a veteran bat that is a bit angry and looking to show everyone that he isn’t finished.
It isn’t that he is all that good anymore, but simply that there are not enough hitters to go around.
The angels will take that deal… and probably over pay
Bohm is an above average everyday third baseman. There is virtually no chance the Phillies should, or will trade him!!
You’re clearly Alec Bohm’s relative.
I like Bohm. He is underrated, but he’s a free agent next year. There’s a significant chance he’s traded if the opportunity arises. Right now, my guess would be that opportunity is not there.
Bregman, Bichette, and Okamoto are off the board and Suarez will cost three times what Bohm is getting so unless you trade Bohm and somehow bring Paredes back in the deal who’s stoping the ball from rolling into LF on grounders to Third?
This is likely a trade deadline deal if anything at this point, but one of the Phillies better prospects is a 3rd baseman. Stott also came up as a 3rd baseman. So there are options. Bohm is not a particularly great fielder. Certainly replaceable, but as you say, he’s their best 3rd base option for the time ebing.
When you look up average mlb player, there is a picture of Bohm -that’s not an insult, playing at an MLB level makes you elite compared to say me, but he is literally average offensively and has worked himself up to an average defensive third baseman
Will Wheeler return to form is the linchpin question
Yes, and the fact the Phillies currently have two starters in their rotation. That is extremely problematic and I don’t know why every Phillie fan isn’t pooping their bed right now in fear and anxiety. Are Phillies fans still in a coma over the Eagles premature end or something?? Ya’lls gotta wake up, this is a dire situation here.
Or not
It sounds like the relationship is in a bad spot, but is Dombrowski just keeping Castellanos on the roster to spite him? I don’t feel like there’s a trade that will get much if any of the Castellanos money off the books. In the meantime, Castellanos can’t move on and shop for his own next opportunity. If your intention is to move on from him, why not just DFA him? See if someone comes forward to offer something to take a couple bucks of the deal and just release him if not. Publicly saying you intend to move on but not letting the player move on seems like a good way to piss off players.
Those comments coming at a press conference to announce the signing of a player where you also made comments that the guy you signed was a fallback option and it was a gut punch to not get the guy you really wanted. There’s not a whole lot of tact there. Some level of honesty and candid response to the media is fine, but maybe pick your spots.
DD is just fishing to see if any GM’s are interested rn which I wouldn’t be. I’d just wait to see if I get Castellanos after he is cut loose and only pay min. He is not worth any more at the moment to me. Maybe he is to someone else.
Johan Rojas, Otto Kemp, Gabriel Rincones Jr. (#9) & Wen Hu Pan (#16) for Reid Detmers & Jo Addel? Detmers could be a great swing guy in Philly. Addel is a nice 4th OF’er with pop – RH bat to compliment Marsh, Crawford and Garcia (reverse platoon splits). Not sure if it’s enough but I would imagine Johan Rojas would be their starting CF’er, Rincones adds a lefty to the RH heavy lineup, Kemp is 26 years old, can play 5 positions and has club control thru 2032. Pan has upside, Anaheim could be intrigued by the potential in his arm and the international ties.
Just a suggestion, feel like the Phillies FO has become complacent. The messaging from his presser was uninspiring.
@acsurf – “It feels like the Phillies front office has become complacent”
That is a seriously uninformed statement. In a winter where no one thought that they were going to go after a premium FA on a long term deal due to the already insane payroll, they actually agreed to the terms of Bo and his agent on yet another long term, $200M deal before they pivoted at the last second. They brought back Schwarbs on a huge deal for a 33 YO free agent. They are in the natural transition that they planned for where they are mixing in the youth in premium prospects with Crawford, Painter and Miller…and remember that the Duran deal was basically something that they had to do for this winter but got it done at the deadline instead.
I hoped that they would take a swing at Bichette, but really thought that they wouldn’t due to the luxury penalties of 110%. Wow, our fans are spoiled (and self-absorbed and kinda’ silly); frankly, up until Middleton showed us his competitive spirit, I never thought that the Phils would bust through the first tax line at all.
I still see Castellanos ending up in Cincinnati just because they don’t want to pay any money to try to upgrade the position so Philadelphia will pay down enough of the contract for him to return to Cincinnati. He had some good years playing at GABP before he went to Philadelphia.
You never know maybe a change of scenery and playing for Francona instead of Thomson could turn things around for him and make him one of the best inexpensive additions somebody makes for 2026. It may not happen or even go the way I would hope it would but stranger things have happened.
I’d be ok with that. Let him platoon. Reds will still be on the hook for prob 6 million of his salary and they got a few good players the Phillies should take a flyer on – Aguilar and Williamson both have had limited success pitching in the bigs
Casty’s basically a platoon DH now. He has extreme
negative defensive value in the OF. By DD saying he’s gone the Phillies are basically eating all or most of $20 million for little or no return.
Ok. So Casty and the team are basically seperated but living in the same house. Awkward….
With the pursuit of Bichette, whom would have required some renovations to the family home to give him a room, and the quality of the kids that play by the fence in the backyard, you might think that they could work something out with the old man….
Feels like the unofficial ex just really can’t stand the sob sleeping on the couch…
So the bad off season continues. The Mets just pulled off what I think is a very good trade with the White Sox getting Robert. The Phillies had been linked to him in the past. The Mets more serious this year. The NL East just got tougher. The Phils still need a real good right handed bat. Is one out there?
If you want be a realist don’t count on Wheeler until August.
@saber – If you are implying that the Phils would package Wood or Obermueller to get rid of Casty you are insane.
If they get rid of some money then great but they are not adding real prospects to a deal. The unbalanced thinking of fans when it comes to trade proposals is always amusing.
@superfife – Okay, well your heart is in the right place when it comes to the subject matter of outlandish costs for fans, and we agree that it has become unrealistic.
But whether the Phils eat the Casty deal or trade him has no impact at all now. If they can unload a few million then they are happy and they know that the return will be a simple lottery ticket.
Hao Yu Lee was a Phils prospect, as was Vierling. I saw them both multiple times in the minors. Neither one is an impact return for them at this point. I really liked Lee’s approach at the plate, but he did not project as much of a fielder at a lesser position (2B). Strange body type, kinda’ pudgy looking. I mean, sure, they would take him back as infield depth in AAA but not for what you propose.
Vierling surprised me as I never thought he would do much in the majors. But still, he is who he is – a useful ute that is kinda’ okay at playing baseball but is now going to start to become expensive for his return ( I think that he was a potential non-tender question this offseason).
Gage Wood? Dream on. Obermueller has intrigue and upside and they won’t give that away for what you are proposing. at all. If you are going to throw around prospect trades, then learn who they are. The Phils are in the mode of building prospects depth and development, and won’t give up the higher level prospects for a monetary return. Money they are willing to spend, but if they spend from the farm they want impact youngsters in return.
@saberfife – Knowing their draft slot is kinda’ meaningless but okay.
You are only looking at it from what you, as a fan, want for your team while ignoring the position that the Phils are in. Sure, if they could unload the $20M it would be great, but it ain’t happening. Would they throw in an org-ranked prospect in the twenties to pay more down? Perhaps, but the reality is that they know it is a sunk cost.
They value prospects and player development more than they value the cost to unload Nick right now and potentially dealing top young arms to mitigate salary is not in their best interest.