Jul 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) warms up before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports Charles LeClaire
CLEARWATER — We just did this, didn't we?
J.T. Realmuto met with the media for the first time during Spring Training Friday morning, and was asked how crazy it is to already be back in a contract year.
"Yeah, it's crazy how fast the last five years has gone," Realmuto acknowledged "I was talking to my wife last week about how long we thought our contract was, but really five years goes by pretty quickly. So it's weird to already be back here."
Does Realmuto — who is now entering his seventh season with the Phillies — expect to discuss a contract extension with the Phillies this spring, or is he more likely to play out his contract year at this point?
"I mean I'm certainly open to conversations, sure. But for me, like I mentioned, it's about focusing on coming here and getting ready to play a season and winning a World Series," Realmuto said. "We'll see where that stuff leads, though."
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski — who inked Zack Wheeler to a lucrative extension last spring before what would have been his contract year — said Wednesday that he doesn't like to discuss potential contract negotiations in public when asked if the Phillies could reach any extensions during camp. In addition to Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber and Ranger Suárez can also become free agents after the 2024 season.
J.T. Realmuto says he’s “open to conversations” on an extension, also talks about how crazy it is to be back in a contract year already.
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Meanwhile, managing the workload of Realmuto — who will turn 34 in March — has been one of the biggest topics of discussion early in camp.
Rob Thomson said earlier this week that he thought Realmuto responded well to a conversation about finding a better balance of having him play as much as possible, while also recognizing that catcher is the most demanding position on the field and the Phillies need the three-time All-Star healthy in October.
"Yeah, I think so," Realmuto said. "At the end of the day, it's gonna come down to just Rob and I communicating. Just being an open door of communication and I have to be honest with him about how I'm feeling — just try to keep me as healthy as possible for the long haul."
Obviously, two ways to get Realmuto off his feet, at least relatively, would be to have him play first base or DH. Thomson even floated the idea Thursday of having Realmuto take some fly balls, likely in left field. Should fans expect to see Realmuto shagging fly balls in left field at some point this spring?
"I don't know. I mean I'm sure I'll shag some balls at some point, but like he said, I think it was just an idea," Realmuto said. "But at the end of the day, I'll do whatever it takes for this team to win. So if he wants me to go out there and stand on my head, I'll try to do that. Whatever gives us the best chance to win, I'll give it a shot."
Realmuto says he has an infielder's glove and a first baseman's mitt, but not an outfielder's glove, although he joked that he's sure there's a few extras laying around in the Phillies clubhouse. He hasn't played left field at any level in his life.
Feb. 13 edition of Phillies Stoplight is here with @TimKellySports from Clearwater 🚦
⚾️: Alec Bohm speaks
⚾️: Andrew Painter buzz pic.twitter.com/zHSArQTMmy
In his career, Realmuto has logged 263 innings at first base, although none over the last two seasons. He expressed confidence that with a chance to work with infielding coach Bobby Dickerson, he could get comfortable there pretty quickly.
Of course, Bryce Harper is relatively entrenched at first base, and Kyle Schwarber is in the same spot at DH. Schwarber could go out to left field on occasion, or one of those two could have a day off. But it's fair to wonder how frequently the Phillies will want to rest arguably their two best hitters. That's kind of where the conversation of Realmuto potentially taking reps at another position on the diamond came from.
It will be interesting to see how 2025 plays out for Realmuto, who has been one of the faces of this era of Phillies baseball. Talking with him Friday morning, you didn't get the sense that this was someone preparing for his last hurrah in red pinstripes. But all that's guaranteed for him with the Phillies is this season, which certainly ups the ante to try to finally get over the hump and win a World Series.
"We're all aware of Father Time," Realmuto admitted. "We know that we don't have unlimited time together here to get the job done. Every year that passes, we want to win a World Series. The longer it takes, the less chance we have to get it done. So there's certainly a little bit of urgency to make that happen because we all get along well and we like each other, so we'd rather win together."
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