The third big free agent the Phillies will need to decide on over the next few weeks is catcher J.T. Realmuto, who is 34 and fresh off leading the majors in innings behind the plate.

“He’s the most prepared catcher I’ve ever been around,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday.

He's also going to probably want some kind of job security by way of a relatively long-term deal. Will he get it from the Phillies?

Here are some reasons why the Phillies should be desperate to keep him, and a few reasons why maybe they should actually let him walk...

Why he should stay:

He's defying the odds

Realmuto's power numbers have bucked a bit. His 12 homers in 2025 were his lowest single season total since 2016 and his .384 slugging percentage was the worst it's been since he came into the majors

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