Realmuto almost mourned loss of Phillies career until collapsed Bichette deal brought him back

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — J.T. Realmuto started to mourn the loss of a Philadelphia Phillies career that included All-Star and Gold Glove selections and four straight trips to the playoffs.

Then the Phillies failed to reach an agreement with big-money Bo Bichette and pivoted back to their catcher.

“Things got a little hairy there at the end,” Realmuto said Tuesday.

After Bichette agreed with the New York Mets on a $126 million, three-year contract, the Phillies rebounded by reaching a $45 million, three-year contract with Realmuto. He gets salaries of $15 million in each of the next three seasons and can earn a maximum $5 million annually in award bonuses.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Realmuto was clearly the best free-agent catcher available and bringing him back was a priority.

Just not necessarily the top one.

Realmuto, who turns 35 in March, had all but surrendered hope of a return because the two sides were not only stretched apart on money, but the Phillies had their sights set on other high-priced free-agents, specifically negotiating with Bichette.

Once a hopeful deal with Bichette collapsed last week — Dombrowski called the loss a gut punch — the Phillies immediately went back to Realmuto.

No hurt feelings, of course.

“There at the end, it got a little stressful where we thought there was a chance we weren't going to be back,” Realmuto said. “Obviously, wasn't ideal for us. We made it pretty clear we wanted to be with the Phillies from the start. Luckily, that didn't last too long, and we were able to come together and get a deal done.”

Realmuto, headed later in the day to the Phillies spring training complex in Clearwater, Florida, would get $2 million for All-Star election and $1 million for selection, $1 million each for a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger and $2 million for finishing in top 10 of MVP voting.

A three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, Realmuto made his decision a month after designated hitter and NL home run champion Kyle Schwarber also chose to remain with the Phillies, agreeing to a $150 million, five-year deal.

Realmuto 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. He was in the final season of a $115.5 million, five-year contract.

Realmuto has a .270 career batting average with 180 homers and 677 RBIs in 12 seasons with the Miami Marlins (2014-18) and Phillies.

Realmuto lamented the reality that catchers aren’t necessarily going to rank as the highest-paid players on their team — he noted they’re generally not paid what they are worth, compared to other position players.

Realmuto and Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy will each earn $15 million in base salary next season. The Los Angeles Dodgers' Will Smith and Seattle's Cal Raleigh are the only other two catchers as of Tuesday to top the $10 million salary mark.

“I just enjoy fighting for that,” Realmuto said. “I believe in that value.”

Realmuto turns 38 headed into a potential next contract and the wear-and-tear on their bodies usually lead to a sharper decline among catchers' offense headed into their 40s. OPS-plus numbers in seasons by a catcher 37 and older are dominated by Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk.

“It wouldn't shock me if you're sitting here in another three years and J.T.'s talking about a multi-year contract beyond that,” Dombrowski said.

Manager Rob Thomson punctuated the Phillies’ postseason clinchers over the years with a call-and-response in the clubhouse asking Realmuto how many more wins were needed to win the World Series.

Realmuto isn't ready to count down the number of seasons left in his career.

“I don't necessarily look at it as my last contract, yet,” Realmuto said. “That doesn't mean it won't be my last contract. As of today, I'm not thinking necessarily that three years is the end.”

Infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson was designated for assignment to open a roster spot.

Realmuto is happy he's back for another title try with his Phillies teammates.

“Luckily after the Phillies missed out on opportunity there at the end," he said, “they called back and were able to make something happen and improve their offer and get to a place we were happy with.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

FILE - Philadelphia Phillies' J.T. Realmuto hits a double during the ninth inning in Game 2 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Bo Bichette and the New York Mets finalized their $126 million, three-year contract on Tuesday night.

The sides agreed to terms last week, subject to a successful physical. Bichette spurned the NL East rival Philadelphia Phillies to sign with the Mets and will be introduced by the team Wednesday during a news conference at Citi Field.

A two-time All-Star shortstop with the Toronto Blue Jays, Bichette will move to third base with the Mets, who have Francisco Lindor at shortstop. Bichette has never played a professional game at the hot corner.

“Throughout his career, Bo has distinguished himself as one of the best pure right-handed hitters in baseball," Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said in a news release announcing the deal.

"He possesses the rare combination of elite bat-to-ball (skills) and power that will impact our lineup. Beyond his on-field skills, Bo has earned the reputation as one of the most intense competitors in our sport. We’re excited to add him to our team and believe he fits our organization very well.”

About two hours later, the busy Mets acquired center fielder Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox in a trade for infielder Luisangel Acuña and minor league pitcher Truman Pauley.

Bichette can opt out of his contract after the first or second season to become a free agent again. He would receive $47 million for one year and $89 million for two years.

The deal does not contain any deferred money and Bichette gets a full no-trade provision. His $42 million average annual value ties for the sixth-highest in baseball history.

The additions of Bichette and Robert were the latest big developments in an eventful offseason for the Mets, who angered fans by letting popular slugger Pete Alonso and star closer Edwin Díaz leave in free agency. Stearns also traded two other stalwarts, outfielder Brandon Nimmo and versatile veteran Jeff McNeil — both homegrown players.

New York signed closer Devin Williams to a $51 million, three-year contract, infielder Jorge Polanco to a $40 million, two-year deal and reliever Luke Weaver to a $22 million, two-year agreement.

Although he lacks Alonso’s power, Bichette is a proven hitter with quick hands at the plate. He gives the Mets a potent right-handed bat to help complement lefty slugger Juan Soto.

Because of his inexperience at third, however, Bichette becomes the latest question mark in the field for New York even though Stearns has insisted the team must improve its defense and is determined to do so.

Polanco has one pitch of major league experience at first base, where he and Mark Vientos, previously a third baseman, are the leading candidates to replace Alonso.

Bichette batted .311 with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs and an .840 OPS in 139 games for the Blue Jays last year. He hit a three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Late last season, Bichette sprained his left knee in a Sept. 6 collision with New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells, keeping the infielder out of the lineup until the World Series. He returned for Game 1 against the Dodgers and played second base for the first time in six years.

Bichette led the American League in hits in 2021 and 2022. He finished second in the major leagues in batting average last season to Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.

Bichette turned down a $22,025,000 qualifying offer from the Blue Jays in November, so they will receive an extra draft pick in July after the fourth round.

New York forfeits its second- and fifth-highest draft picks, along with $1 million in 2027 international signing bonus pool allocation.

Bichette, who turns 28 in March, had spent his entire career with the Blue Jays since they selected him in the second round of the 2016 amateur draft. He is a .294 career hitter with 111 home runs and an .806 OPS in 748 major league games.

He is a son of former big league slugger Dante Bichette, a four-time All-Star outfielder.

AP Baseball Writers Ronald Blum and David Brandt and AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston contributed to this report.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

FILE - Toronto Blue Jays' Bo Bichette celebrates his three run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning in Game 7 of baseball's World Series, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)