The Philadelphia Phillies certainly did not receive the performance they hoped for from the catcher position last season.
J.T. Realmuto had a notably tough time following his three-year, $45 million contract renewal with the team last winter, and neither Garrett Stubbs nor Rafael Marchan made significant contributions behind him.
Dave Dombrowski has expressed his desire to give Realmuto additional rest in the upcoming season, but there was uncertainty about whether that would mean offering more opportunities to Stubbs or seeking a new catcher through free agency.
However, the situation has now become apparent.
The Phillies have advised Stubbs that he will be designated for assignment, as reported by Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, indicating that the veteran has likely played his final game in a Phillies uniform.
This also clearly signals that Philadelphia intends to look for another catcher on the open market, and various options will undoubtedly be available to them.
For instance, the Phillies have already been mentioned in connection with a potential pursuit of Carson Kelly, and Tyler Stephenson could also be a strong option.
Gary Sanchez will also be on the market, but whether Philadelphia would consider his less-than-stellar defense behind the plate is a point of contention.
The Phillies might additionally explore the trade market for solutions, with San Diego Padres catcher Luis Campusano representing a possible target for the team.
In any case, it is evident that Philly is aiming to find a more effective backup than Stubbs, who recorded a mere .153/.215/.153 over 65 plate appearances and 35 games with the team last season.
The 33-year-old has been part of Philadelphia since 2022, boasting a .593 OPS over 181 games with the franchise. His defensive skills have been a significant asset, but with Realmuto’s batting average declining considerably in recent years, the Phillies definitely need to bolster their offense behind the plate.
Additionally, Ryan Jeffers is also a free agent, but the likelihood of Philadelphia offering him a substantial multi-year deal, especially after already committing to Realmuto, is quite low.
Star Hunter Goodman of the Colorado Rockies — who hit 41 home runs in 2026 — will likely be discussed in trade talks this winter, but the Phillies probably lack the resources needed to acquire him from Denver. The same applies to William Contreras in Milwaukee.
Despite this, the Phillies have made it known that they would prefer an upgrade. How they will go about securing one remains to be determined.
