Jun 23, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Garrett Stubbs (21) against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports Eric Hartline
One week before the Phillies open the regular season in D.C., they've decided who will be J.T. Realmuto's backup catcher.
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com says that the Phillies optioned Garrett Stubbs to Triple-A Lehigh Valley Thursday. That means that Rafael Marchán will be Realmuto's backup to begin the season.
It's not necessarily a surprising development considering that Marchán is out of minor-league options and would have had to be exposed to waivers if the Phillies didn't keep him on the Opening Day roster.
Still, it's a bit awkward for Stubbs to open the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Lehigh Valley after spending the entirety of the last three seasons at the MLB level with the Phillies.
Last weekend, On Pattison's Anthony SanFilippo asked Stubbs about his mindset as he battled for a roster spot.
"Look, I didn't create the situation, the situation is what it is," Stubbs said. "I'm going to go out there and play the best baseball that I possibly can and see what happens after that.
"I know the last three years I've done nothing but help this team win and I plan on doing that going forward, no matter what the situation is, whether I'm playing or not playing. I've said that before — find ways to help this organization win baseball games. So, whatever happens at the end of spring, I'll continue to do that."
Stubbs hit .264 with five home runs, 16 RBIs and an .812 OPS in 46 games for the Phillies in 2022. However, over the last two seasons, Stubbs has hit .206 with a .558 OPS. Backup catchers play infrequently enough that just looking at the back of their baseball card isn't always the best way to gauge their value. Stubbs is well respected for his ability to help prepare Phillies starting pitchers — even on days where he may not be catching — and is a positive clubhouse presence. But his offensive numbers the last two years left him exposed to this possibility.
Marchán made his MLB Debut for the Phillies in 2020 and has appeared in 40 games over parts of three seasons. A year ago, he hit .294 with three home runs and an .894 OPS in 17 games with the Phillies while Realmuto was on the injured list. The Phillies weren't going to option Stubbs in the middle of a season, but Marchán's play last summer — mixed with the fact that he's now out of options — set today's events in motion.
The one knock that Marchán has had in his career is an inability to stay healthy. Perhaps being Realmuto's backup will help him to preserve him, as opposed to playing every day at Triple-A. But Marchán has an injury history and Realmuto is 34. As much as it surely burns today, Stubbs will probably be needed by the Phillies at some point in 2025.
