Decreasing JT Realmuto’s Workload: The Obvious No-Brainer for the Phillies

The second the Phillies were eliminated in the NLDS by the New York Mets, it became painfully obvious that JT Realmuto’s workload needed to be addressed.

The wear and tear of catching 140+ games a season clearly caught up to Realmuto and entering a new MLB season with him doing the same is just not going to cut it. The good news, is that the Phillies organization recognizes this and heading into 2025, they are finally taking steps to reduce Realmuto’s time behind the plate—a move that feels long overdue.

Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer recently discussed the club’s plans regarding Realmuto in greater detail, relaying that manager Rob Thomson suggested this week that Realmuto’s performance may improve if he receives an extra day off per week during the season.

Good. While Realmuto is one of the best all-around catchers in MLB history, even the most durable players can only take so much. At 34 years old, the mileage is starting to show. Giving him regular rest is a no-brainer if the Phillies want to preserve his elite production for the entire season and another deep playoff run.

Phillies Considering Workload Reduction For J.T. Realmuto https://t.co/i112IxLE8C pic.twitter.com/ChXrLlsOl1

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) December 15, 2024

Thomson recognizes that convincing JT Realmuto to accept more rest will take some finesse. “He’s a tough guy. He’s a guy like a lot of our guys; they want to play every day. I’ll have to do some convincing, I guess,” Thomson said, smiling. [Source]

While the regular season demands consistent effort, the ultimate goal is a healthy roster come October. Realmuto’s performance in the NLDS was a concern—he went 0-for-11 with three walks in the four-game series, which raises questions about whether fatigue played a role.

JT Realmuto was very good in August and September last season.

Realmuto underwent right knee surgery that sidelined him for about five weeks during the summer. He hit .286 in the final month of the regular season games leading up to the playoffs, suggesting that his struggles might be more of a cold streak rather than fatigue.

While the rest of the Philadelphia Phillies’ lineup struggled in August, he held a .274 batting average with 23 hits, 4 homers, 17 RBIs and 11 runs scored in 23 games during the month after only playing seven games in July.

Since joining the Phillies in 2019, Realmuto has caught an astounding 5,548 1/3 innings during the regular season, far surpassing the next closest catcher, Christian Vázquez, who logged 4,707 1/3 innings.

As Realmuto enters his 11th full MLB season, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that a reduction in workload may be necessary for his longevity and effectiveness and to properly facilitate this, the Phillies need to feel confident in their backup catcher situation.

Garrett Stubbs, known for his defensive skills and presence in the clubhouse, has struggled offensively since a solid 2022 season, hitting just .206 over the last two years.

Dombrowski acknowledged that it’s tough for players like Stubbs to find offensive rhythm without regular at-bats which is fine but when the backup catcher becomes more of a liability and prevents your everyday starter from getting some rest, then it causes a significant issue

The Phillies’ plan to give JT Realmuto an extra day off per week is a step in the right direction.

How they plan on doing that is certainly up for debate. The other layer to this story is the possibility of Bryce Harper moving back to the outfield, which would open more opportunities for Realmuto to play first base.

While Harper’s health and long-term value remain the priority, a shift back to the outfield would allow the Phillies to better manage Realmuto’s workload without sacrificing offensive firepower.

That said, the Phillies shouldn’t view Harper’s position change as a solution to their catching depth problem. The team still needs a quality second option behind the plate, and that’s a priority they can’t ignore.

While the plan to reduce Realmuto’s workload makes sense, the Phillies have a glaring problem: their backup catcher situation is shaky at best.

• Garrett Stubbs: While he’s shown flashes of defensive ability, Stubbs can’t be considered a viable long-term option behind the plate. His bat has been inconsistent, and relying on him for extended stretches isn’t a championship-level solution.
• Rafael Marchan: Once viewed as a promising young catcher, Marchan’s career has been derailed by injuries. Every time he’s had a chance to prove himself, another setback has kept him off the field. Counting on him to take on a larger role feels like a gamble the Phillies can’t afford to take.

If the Phillies are serious about reducing Realmuto’s workload, they’ll need to find a more reliable backup option—whether that’s through free agency, a trade, or a bold move like developing a younger prospect quicker than anticipated.

The decision to lighten Realmuto’s load is the right move, but it’s only step one. The Phillies need a clear plan to address the backup catcher situation and ensure Realmuto’s days off don’t become liabilities.

The Phillies have the talent to contend for a World Series, but they won’t get there by running their cornerstone players into the ground. The NLDS loss to the Mets was a wake-up call. Now it’s time for the front office to back up their plans with action.

Not Good: The Hot Stove is BURNING and the Phillies look exactly the same as they did at the end of the 2024 season >>

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