Is this the end of the line for JT Realmuto in Philly?

Is this JT Realmuto’s final season in red pinstripes?

The Phillies are rolling. Winners of nine straight and owners of the National League’s best record, the 2025 squad is firing on all cylinders. The rotation is dominant, the lineup is deep, and the team has more late-inning magic than any other club in baseball.

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As we soak up this current run, one of the major questions looming in the shadows is what the Phillies will do behind the plate with JT Realmuto.

It’s not an easy conversation to have.

JT Realmuto has been one of the cornerstones of this Phillies run since arriving via trade in 2019. He’s started All-Star Games, won Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers, and been the anchor behind the plate for one of the best rotations in baseball.

As he inches closer to 35 and enters free agency after the season, it’s fair to wonder whether this is the end of the road in Philadelphia.

JT Realmuto and Father Time Behind the Plate

The wear and tear of catching catches up to everyone eventually. JT Realmuto has held it off better than most, but the signs are starting to show. His power has declined noticeably — 22 homers in 2022, down to 20 in 2023, then 14 last season.

This year, he’s sitting at just five home runs with a .399 slugging percentage, the lowest mark of his career if you exclude his cup of coffee with the Marlins in 2014.

JT Realmuto isn’t hurting the team. His defense and game-calling remain elite, and he’s still throwing out runners at a high clip. Offensively, he’s not the same force.

The bat speed isn’t quite what it was, and his chase rate has crept up. For a team loaded with veteran contracts and big bats, every offensive dip matters.

If I were the Phillies, here’s what I’d do with JT Realmuto

The Phillies don’t have any reliable catching options in the minor leagues. Rafael Marchan hasn’t proven anything, while Garrett Stubbs is a certified backup at the major league level. Eduardo Tait is only 18-years old, so the Phillies need someone to bridge the gap.

Bringing back JT Realmuto on a 2-year, team-friendly contract might be the move, but I can’t see the Phillies making any offers until the end of the 2025 season.