Reports: J.T. Realmuto, Phillies agree to 3-year, $45M deal

"Veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto has agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies, according to multiple reports. Realmuto can earn an additional $5 million annually in bonuses, according to the reports. The Phillies re-signing of Realmuto was the latest free agency domino to fall Friday. Philadelphia was among the top pursuers of infielder Bo Bichette, who instead agreed to a three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets."

"Realmuto, who turns 35 in March, hit .257 with 12 homers and 52 RBIs in 134 games last year, when he tied for the major league lead with 132 games at catcher. His .700 OPS was his lowest since 2015 -- his second big league season -- and it marked the third straight season in which his OPS declined over the season before."

"Realmuto has a .270 career batting average with 180 homers and 677 RBIs in 12 seasons with the Miami Marlins (2014-18) and Phillies. A rare every-day catcher in today's MLB, Realmuto's 641 games is the second-most among primary catchers over the past half-decade, behind Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez (728). Realmuto's 19.0 wins above replacement during the same time period ranks second behind the Los Angeles Dodgers' Will Smith among backstops."

J.T. Realmuto signed a three-year, $45 million contract to remain with the Philadelphia Phillies and can earn an additional $5 million annually in bonuses. The move followed other notable free-agent decisions, including Bo Bichette agreeing to a three-year, $126 million deal with the New York Mets. Realmuto, who turns 35 in March, hit .257 with 12 homers and 52 RBIs in 134 games last year and posted a .700 OPS. He was in the final season of a five-year, $115.5 million contract. Realmuto has a .270 career average with 180 homers and 677 RBIs, is a rare everyday catcher with 641 games over the past half-decade, and has compiled 19.0 wins above replacement during that span. Philadelphia also signed Brad Keller and Adolis García this offseason.

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