J.T. Realmuto Looks Great in Red
The Eagles have been embroiled in a quarterback controversy and a coaching search, Ben Simmons still won’t take a jump shot, and Gritty…... is still Gritty. All of these things have overshadowed arguably the biggest circus in town, the Philadelphia Phillies.
John (StupidMoney) Middleton was being pretty outspoken about not being a spender this off-season on account of the pandemic shortened season and lack of fans putting a huge dent in revenue. This drew the ire of many fans and media members who saw this as Middleton padding his own wallet, as opposed to fielding a competitive team. His penny pinching was reminiscent of the mid-late 90’s Phillies teams. It appeared that he was treating the club like a small market team as opposed to the top five market it is, putting the future of the Phillies best player in jeopardy; J.T. Realmuto.
The demotion of Matt Klentak and subsequent hiring of Dave Dombrowski in December was a step in the right direction, but many feared that the teams lack of a good faith extension and some bad blood between J.T. and ownership could be a major roadblock to bringing him back. You see, Realmuto’s future in Philadelphia was in question long before the Phillies vexing season wrapped up in September.
The Phillies acquired Realmuto from the Marlins before the 2019 season in a 3 for 1 swap. The centerpieces of the deal being Jorge Alfaro and young pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez. The assumption was that the team would be quick to lock him up to a long term extension, but that never materialized. Realmuto never missed a beat in his transition to Philadelphia, immediately becoming a fan favorite with his huge arm, sweet swing and uncanny athleticism. Even though the Phillies had September collapse to miss the playoffs, the Realmuto trade was a huge bright spot. He rewarded the Phillies with an All-Star nod, a Golden Glove and Silver Slugger award; The Phillies rewarded him by taking him to arbitration five months later.
The Phils fought Realmuto tooth and nail during the arbitration hearings in February of 2020. The team won the hearing, meaning they were only on the hook for $10 million during the 2020 season. Realmuto was asking for $12.4 million. $2.4 million in baseball can just about buy your team bats for the season. Now I pose a question, is $2.4 million worth creating a divide between your front office and the best catcher in the sport? Alas they both moved forward under the assumption that a deal would be worked out before Opening Day.
Well pitchers and catchers reported, no deal.
Spring training started, no deal.
Spring training was cancelled due to Covid-19, no deal.
Bryce Harper publicly called the team out to sign the Gold Glove catcher, no deal.
J.T. responded to the slight in the only way he knows how. He went out, in the most unique season ever, and once again played like the best catcher of his generation.The season came and went, and he was still left without a deal. His teammates were outspoken about bringing him back, the fans were calling for Middletons’ head, all while he cried poor. Rumors swirled around the league about where he could end up, and it seemed like he was linked to almost every team in baseball. Rightfully so, who wouldn't want to acquire the services of an elite player at the hardest position in baseball? The Phillies faithful were preparing to reenter the dark ages.
Realmuto is only 29 years old, which isn't young in “catcher years” but he is a far stretch from being past his prime. Realmuto is also a special athlete for the position, all due respect to Chooch, but J.T. makes him look like a bar league softball player; and Ruiz played very good baseball until his age 34 season. Add in the inevitability of the DH coming to the NL very soon, and giving Realmuto the contract he was seeking seemed like a no brainer. All J.T. has done since coming to Philadelphia is….
Start 192 of a possible 222 games in two seasons
Slugged nearly .500, is 3rd in home runs among all catchers and led all catchers in extra base hits, RBI, WAR and stolen bases
Post a fielding percentage of .99
And act as the consummate teammate and a leader of this team.
We were all ready to hear that one of the New York teams pulled the trigger and acquired Realmuto. Most fans were resigned to it, and quite frankly numb between the Phillies second straight late season collapse and the aftermath of one of the roughest Eagles seasons in recent memory. The city was ready to watch Sixto Sanchez go on to be a 15 game winning, sub 3 ERA pitcher and Alfaro continue to be a solid power hitting catcher for the next decade; while we were left with nothing. That is, until a glimmer of hope sprung out of the rapidly closing darkness.
Reports from some of the most trusted minds in baseball started reporting that the Phillies were still at the top of Realmuto’s list. Then newly acquired reliever Archie Bradley pulled a Bryce Harper and called out Middleton and Dombrowski to sign J.T. The rumblings grew louder, the signs started to point back in the direction of Broad & Pattison, and life was brought back to fans all over the tri-state.
Finally after almost two damn years of waiting, Realmuto got his well deserved contract. 5 years for $115.5 million dollars, a record setting deal for a catcher and in my opinion money very well spent. The city can now rejoice in a true bright spot in an absolutely hectic year in Philadelphia sports and life in general.