The Philadelphia Phillies need to make significant offseason moves if they want to push past their recent roadblocks and return to the World Series.
However, they’re in a tough spot. Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suárez, and J.T. Realmuto are all heading into free agency. Schwarber appears to be the team’s main priority, and they already have a potential replacement lined up for Suárez. That leaves Realmuto as the most difficult player to replace.
In a recent projection, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter reveal that the Phillies will target Minnesota Twins catcher in a major offseason trade, sending pitcher Mavis Graves and infielder Carson DeMartini to Minnesota in return.
“The Phillies will either need to re-sign J.T. Realmuto, or find a veteran replacement outside of the organization, as there is no in-house candidate to step into the starting catcher role in 2026,” Reuter wrote. “After their trade deadline fire sale, the Twins have to be viewed as open for business, and while Joe Ryan and Byron Buxton are the trade chips most frequently mentioned in speculative deals, catcher Ryan Jeffers would also be a useful piece for a contender in need of catching help.”
This winter, the Phillies need to either re-sign or replace Realmuto.
It would likely be the best-case scenario for the Phillies to re-sign Realmuto, but if they can’t get a deal done, a trade for Jeffers makes perfect sense.
Jeffers put together a solid season this year. He’s routinely posted an OPS+ over 100 despite playing the defensive first position of catcher. Having an above-average hitter at catcher is a huge bonus for any team. The Phillies would greatly benefit from adding Jeffers if Realmuto walks.
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