The Philadelphia Phillies are bringing back J.T. Realmuto on a five-year deal worth $115.5 million. He was a shoo-in to go back to Philadelphia, so what is next for the front office?
J.T. Realmuto is the best catcher in baseball and he got the record $23.1 million AAV that he wanted in his new contract for a catcher. But, the bigger question is what else will the front office do to improve this ballclub?
Realmuto was expected to come back so he doesn’t make his team any better than last year’s team. Last year’s team with Realmuto fell one win short of being the last Wild Card team getting in the postseason even in an expanded postseason format. There are still many holes that need to be addressed on the roster.
Didi Gregorius is a free agent, which leaves the shortstop position vacant at the time. Gregorius is an option to return but it seems like Andrelton Simmons is the best short-term fit.
Adding some defense at the center field position would help. Jackie Bradley Jr., Albert Almora Jr., and Kevin Pillar are the best options among the center fielders available.
The bullpen was obviously atrocious last season. Jose Alvarado and Archie Bradley will be added to the group for 2021, but that isn’t nearly enough. Brad Hand or Kirby Yates would’ve been great additions but both are off the board. Hand will instead be pitching against the Phillies lineup inside the division with Washington.
It is crucial that Dave Dombrowski improves the Phillies roster because other teams in the division have vastly improved their rosters. The Mets obviously have a new owner willing to spend and have already acquired Francisco Lindor, Carlos Carrasco, Trevor May, and James McCann; the Braves were one win away from the World Series and they’ve added Charlie Morton and are getting back Mike Soroka from injury; the Nationals have added Josh Bell, Kyle Schwarber, Jon Lester, and Brad Hand.
Philadelphia isn’t one of the favorites to win the division, so while Realmuto will continue to help behind the plate there’s still a whole lot of housekeeping to be done.
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