Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski spoke to reporters (including Matt Gelb of The Atheltic) during his end-of-season press conference today regarding the club’s plans headed into 2025 after a disappointing end to their season that saw them knocked out of the NLDS by the division rival Mets in four games. With the club’s entire lineup and starting rotation under team control for 2025, at first glance it may seem as though the Phillies don’t have many obvious places where they can improve. That won’t stop the club’s front office from looking for upgrades, however, as Gelb relays comments from Dombrowski about being “open-minded” and “exploring” possibilities when other teams inevitably come calling this winter.
That could mean making changes to the players on the roster, of course, but one possible change Dombrowski highlighted could come internally: less of J.T. Realmuto behind the plate. The 33-year-old veteran has spent the past six seasons in Philadelphia and is entering the final year of his contract with the club in 2025. The three-time All-Star finished in the top seven of NL MVP voting as recently as 2022 and has been an above average hitter in every season he’s spent with the Phillies, but also endured one of the worst seasons of his career in 2024.
The veteran backstop missed just over a month after undergoing knee surgery in June, and while he posted a solid .266/.322/.429 (109 wRC+) slash line in the 99 games he did play, he did so with lackluster defensive numbers behind the plate that stand in sharp contrast to the reputation he earned as one of the game’s elite defensive catchers earlier in his career. Realmuto’s blocking and framing were both well below average per Statcast, and Fangraphs’s Defense metric rated him as just the tenth most valuable defender of 16 catchers with at least 400 plate appearances this year. Given Realmuto’s waning defensive value behind the plate and the possibility that more rest could help him stay healthy and productive, it’s not entirely a surprise that the club would consider broaching the possibility of Realmuto taking on less of the team’s catching duties with the veteran.
With that being said, however, the possibility of Realmuto playing less frequently behind the plate raises questions about whether he’ll spent the extra time playing elsewhere in the lineup or on the bench. It’s hardly unheard of for even the most well-regarded veteran catchers to start spending more time at DH or first base as they enter their mid-30’s, with Royals veteran Salvador Perez (who played just 91 of his 158 games in 2024 at catcher) standing out as a prime example. That may be easier said than done for the Phillies, though, as the club currently has Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber installed at first base and DH on a regular basis. Both sluggers have experience in the outfield and could theoretically play left field on occasion to free up time away from catcher for Realmuto, though it’s unclear if the Phillies are willing to move either star out of their usual position to accommodate Realmuto.
Finding playing time away from catcher for Realmuto could be even more complicated depending on how the club looks to overhaul its outfield mix. Dombrowski indicated that both Brandon Marsh and Nick Castellanos figure to feature prominently in their outfield mix next year, but he did not offer those same guarantees to Johan Rojas after a disappointing season where he posted a lackluster 68 wRC+ in 363 trips to the plate. If the club plans to move Rojas into something closer to a fourth outfielder role, they’d have the ability to make an addition in either left or center field, depending on their willingness to move Marsh back to center on a regular basis after he started just 35 games at the position in 2024.
While a pursuit of superstar outfielder and top free agent Juan Soto would be a shock for a Phillies club that already has lots of money tied up in a number of star players, the coming outfield class is deep in interesting bats such as Tyler O’Neill, Jurickson Profar and (depending on his player option decision) Cody Bellinger who could slide into the club’s outfield mix to improve the offense. Of course, any addition to the outfield mix would only serve to further limit the club’s flexibility in playing Realmuto away from the catcher position, but that could be well worth it if it meant upgrading the offense overall.
As the Phillies ponder where to make changes this winter, one place that won’t be happening is the dugout. Dombrowski revealed earlier today that manager Rob Thomson has been extended through the end of the 2026 season, adding an additional year to a contract that otherwise would have left the skipper a lame duck headed into next season. When discussing his newest contract with reporters (including Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer) Thomson made it clear that he expects Philadelphia to be the final stop in his lengthy coaching career. Thomson famously planned to retire following the 2022 season when he was still bench coach of the Phillies, but plans changed when the club fired then-manager Joe Girardi, promoted Thomson to the top job, and the club went on an improbable run to the World Series.
In all, the Phillies have posted a strong 250-185 record under Thomson’s management in the regular season, to go with a solid 20-11 record in postseason games after the club made it to the playoffs in all three years he’s been at the helm. In spite of all that success, however, the 61-year-old hardly seems interested in committing to a lengthy tenure in the Phillies dugout as March relays that Thomson plans to take things year-by-year after his latest contract expires following the 2026 season. That’s hardly an unheard of arrangement for veteran managers, with Rockies skipper Bud Black standing out as a notable current example of a manager who has taken a number of one-year extensions rather than work out a longer-term arrangement, including one just last week.
Big whiffa
Opener, it’s gonna be a quiet off season for the phils. 12 hours later the 4th Phili article of the day is posted lol
Acoss1331
Nothing is quiet with Dave Dombrowski lol
ClevelandSteelEngines
Yeah fans that follow him are easy to bait.
DarkSide830
If we sign Profar, I may vomit.
mlb fan
“If we sign Profar”…Propar needs to stay in S.D. Anywhere else there’s a high risk of him turning back into a pumpkin.
The “Dom”, Dave Dombrowski, is one of the best at signing free agents and I cannot see him being interested in the wildly inconsistent Jurickson Profar.
Acoss1331
Nah, Preller loves Profar. He’s been with him since his time with the Rangers, and Profar performs as a Padre.
phillyballers
Step 1 is to bring up Marchan. Pinch hit Realmuto on Marchan days and you essentially are making a double move bc you’ll plug in a fielder in the next half inning.
Step 2 is to alternate him at DH on Harper and Schwarber days off.
And the answer is Adames. Move Turner to LF. Soto is a pipe dream, but Adames could be had.
Blackpink in the area
Adames is gonna cost a ton and the Phillies have a shortstop already. You are being silly. A trade for Robert could make sense. Phillies should sell the farm imo maybe they finally win it all.
ctbronx7
Do not sell the farm. TRUST IT. Crawford will take over in center field by next July. Miller will be Bohn’s successor at 3rd on ‘26 or ‘27.
Samuel
phillyballers
Years ago the Nationals tried to make Turner an OF. Was a disaster.
The way Adames is now playing SS, the Phillies are better off with Turner there.
–
I know that every off-season posters solutions to all teams shortcomings is to sign or trade for veterans. Seldom does that pan out.
phillyballers
Well Adames didn’t look great last year, but he’s been a better SS overall than. I think you would have to bring in a bigger name to force Turner to move tho. He isn’t moving for Stott. Who is the most logical choice.
Blackpink in the area
I don’t see how they are gonna reduce Realmutos workload and be a better team for it. He’s only signed through 2025.
The Phillies window is closing soon. They kept it open by raising payroll year after year and that is simply not sustainable. They do have some good prospects if they use those to keep it going that could help but they really gotta win it all soon to make all this add up.
Smacky
Should try to find new fans. The ones that use the Internet are special.
Samuel
The thing about Realmuto is this: even though he’s a Catcher, he’s one of the most athletic players on the Phillies. Above average runner, steals bases. etc.
The writer picked on him. OK. Realmuto doesn’t have to play only 1B or DH. Am sure he could learn 3B or LF in a reasonable time (and extend his career). That opens up a lot of possibilities – with the Phillies or for other teams. And as usual with these MLBTR early offseason articles, they don’t note players teams have in the high minors that while not highly heralded, oftentimes become game changes once the next season begins.
What’s not covered here is the teams payroll situation. My thought is simply that it will be scaled back some as there are too many high-salaried / past-their-prime veterans on it. So before the Phillies turn into the Blue Jays, I’d suggest that when DD speaks about being: “open-minded” and “exploring” possibilities – he’s not looking to plop Tyler O’Neill / Jurickson Profar / Cody Bellinger-types on top of the pile. That’s simply ridiculous.
At least 2 Phillies veterans (young or old) will be leaving, and the only one we can be sure of is Bryce Harper…..he’s not leaving.
Samuel
One other thing that is missing about Realmuto that analytics doesn’t cover:
He has a rep as possibly the best handler of pitchers and caller of games in MLB today. I know that rotisserie league doesn’t factor
that in, but to some old-fashioned geezer-run teams that are primarily interested in winning, that’s looked upon favorably.
Smacky
You’re not winning anything with a catcher playing in the field.
Chicken In Philly?
Tell that to Joe Torre, Dale Murphy, or Craig Biggio. Daulton Varsho will win a Good Glove this year. Positional changes don’t always work out, but to Samuel’s point, Realmuto is extremely athletic. If they want to save his knees, they make the move, and in return this will likely save his bat.
Tom
Those players had more offensive value than Realmuto. JT is a decent offensive player but his value is more equally tied to his position than the ones you mentioned.
Chicken In Philly?
He’s an exceptional catcher with a gun for an arm, but he’s also a very valuable bat, and not “just for” a catcher. He also is a great baserunner. If anything, getting him away from the grind of catching every day might give him the strength to improve upon the last few seasons he’s had in the batters box.
Tom
I’m not saying JT is a terrible offensive player, but he’s not an elite bat unless he’s behind the plate or at shortstop. His overall production is a tick above Castellanos—gets on bases slightly more and is a far better baserunner—but in terms of putting bat-to-ball and what happens, they’re very, very close, and I don’t consider Castellanos elite.
Having JT behind the plate, his value is 10. Put him anywhere else on the diamond—unless he turns into a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman—he loses value, and is probably a 6 or so.
David Kupsick
SS in high school, option QB also
Philly 6
Tell that to Greg Luzinski… guy was a statue. Great Phillie… Also, pat burrell anyone
Tom
And who were they surrounded by? Gold Glovers/Gold Glove-caliber players in CF, third, and short. You could hide anyone in LF with those guys playing.
ainteasybeingaphilsphan
Bryce is a former catcher.
Superstar Prospect Wander Javier
Schwarber is more recently a catcher than Harper, if we wanna play this game.
Rsox
They can reduce Realmuto’s work load and still get his bat in situations where they need it. It’s not like its not unusual for Catchers not to catch 140-150 games. 125-130 is about average (or was, once upon a time).
The Phillies have OF help coming in Justin Crawford and Gabriel Rincones Jr. who could both be up by the end of next season.
Seahawks19081
Crawford will be starting in CF by August 1st, if not sooner.
C Yards Jeff
If DD decides to cut ties with Hays, hope Orioles bring him back. His play is steady, predictable. Staying healthy is his baliwick.
Compliments Mullins well in the field. And rh bat that doesn’t seem affected by LF wall dimensions and height.
Samuel
Jeff;
I noted that in the presser it was inferred that Marsh would move to CF.
As you’ve seen, much of what Hays does is not in the stats – backing up the CF on every play; running the bases well; hitting to the right side of the field to move a runner up in a close game; running the bases smartly; getting clutch hits or making clutch defensive plays; etc.
DD was first mentored and trained by Rollie Hemond with the White Sox in the late 70’s. He understands fundamental baseball and how important it is to winning (or losing if a team doesn’t do it). I believe he likes Hays a lot.
Almost all posters here thought Hays was acquired to be a platoon player (a narrative was set and readers believed it). We knew he wasn’t, and DD made that clear a few days after the trade. I’d suggest that if Austin shows up in ST healthy, he’ll be the Phillies primary LF in 2025. Surely the Phillies FO people will be monitoring his progress this offseason.
I don’t know if you saw Joe Rudi play. WS winning A’s. Angels. Others. One of my all-time faves. Wasn’t flamboyant. Not especially athletic. Didn’t have the best stats. A LF that would beat the opposition with his bat, glove, arm, and/or baserunning. What was described at the time as: “A money player”. Fans of his teams loved the guy. Austin Hays is the same way (has more speed though and can play CF if needed). Phillie fans that actually watch the games will love him…..if he’s healthy. Most posters on here will be quoting his stats and listing a bunch of me-first players with large salaries and selective better stats as an alternative to Hays and asking why DD isn’t bringing them in. Watch.
C Yards Jeff
Samuel;
Love the Roland Hemond and Joe Rudi references. I’m grinning from ear to ear.
Was unaware of DD’s high regard for Hays as an everyday player. Interesting. Of course, he’s more than capable of being that guy … as long as health issues stay in check.
ctbronx7
Sorry to see Long being kept on a batting coach. Too much emphasis on pulling and power; not enough on quality contact and building rallies. The hitters need different guidance to avoid the final series stagnation we have seen three years running.
longines64
Agree. How many times do they go into group slumps?