The Philadelphia Phillies face major roster decisions after another early playoff exit, this time losing the NLDS on an error by Orion Kerkering. With an aging core and free agency looming, the club must now decide how to move forward — especially with stars Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto both hitting the market.
Schwarber has been viewed as the top priority after finishing second in NL MVP voting, but one prominent MLB analyst believes the Phillies should instead focus on re-signing catcher J.T. Realmuto.
“With a weak catching market and no internal replacement ready, Philadelphia needs to bring back Realmuto,” wrote Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. “He’s still the best available catcher despite his age and declining offense.”
Realmuto had a down season at the plate in 2025, hitting 12 home runs with 52 RBI and posting a 91 OPS+ across 134 games. However, he remained a dependable defender and played a crucial role guiding the Phillies’ pitching staff — a strength that still holds significant value.
Several teams are expected to pursue Realmuto, casting uncertainty over whether the Phillies will aggressively attempt to keep him.
Meanwhile, Schwarber is coming off the best season of his career:
- 56 home runs (NL leader)
- 132 RBI (MLB leader)
- Runner-up in MVP voting behind Shohei Ohtani
Both players have been central to Philadelphia’s identity — alongside Bryce Harper — but the Phillies now face the reality of reshaping the roster after consecutive NLDS eliminations.
Harper has expressed a desire for both Realmuto and Schwarber to return, but the team’s approach to this pivotal offseason remains unclear.
Realmuto joined the Phillies in 2019, while Schwarber arrived in 2022 — and their futures with the club now hang in the balance as free agency begins.
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