Ranking Realmuto's remaining suitors by fit
After a long dalliance, the New York Mets reportedly landed James McCann on Saturday on a four-year deal worth more than $40 million, effectively pulling themselves out of the running for J.T. Realmuto.
The move doesn't mean the Mets couldn't still use Realmuto despite signing McCann. The club could - and so could 29 other teams.
That being said, seven clubs present the most logical fit now that the early favorite Mets are out. Here they are, ranked by fit:
1. Philadelphia Phillies
Current catchers: Andrew Knapp, Rafael Marchan
The incumbent Phillies feel like the most logical landing spot. Philadelphia desperately needs a catcher, and its superstar outfielder Bryce Harper, who they still owe $290 million over the next 11 years, is on record - multiple times - saying he wants Realmuto back.
Dave Dombrowski, the team's new president of baseball operations, wants to retool and contend next season, but he has holes to fill and could have limited payroll flexibility to work with. But there are other ways to shed salary, and keeping Realmuto while improving the bullpen seems like the simplest and most logical path.
2. Los Angeles Angels
Current catchers: Max Stassi, Anthony Bemboom
If the Phillies are the best fit, then the Angels are a close second. As the runner-up in the pursuit for McCann, Los Angeles is clearly interested in recruiting a top catcher. Improvement at the position would help the club's postseason chances.
The two obstacles are that new general manager Perry Minisian should focus on more glaring needs - like the starting rotation - and Stassi showed improvement at the dish last season. The 29-year-old is no Realmuto, but he's been a decent hitter in his career and posted an impressive .886 OPS with seven homers over 31 games in 2020. Realmuto had an .840 OPS with 11 home runs in 47 games.
3. St. Louis Cardinals
Current catchers: Andrew Knizner, Ivan Herrera
The Cardinals are seemingly preparing to enter the post-Molina era. What better way to immediately get fans on board with the idea of Yadi leaving than by bringing in a two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger?
St. Louis looks like it's entering a transition phase, so maybe sticking with Knizner - who was a highly-touted prospect - makes the most sense. Knizner, 25, has struggled at the major-league level, though, and wasting Jack Flaherty's prime and Paul Goldschmidt's remaining productive years seems like a terrible idea. With the Cubs perhaps entering a rebuild and the Brewers and Reds struggling, this is the right time for the Cardinals to step on the gas. Signing Realmuto would immediately make them division favorites.
4. Washington Nationals
Current catchers: Yan Gomes, Tres Barrera
The 2019 champs had a rough year in the abbreviated 2020 campaign. However, that was partly due to Stephen Strasburg missing most of the season with an injury. On paper - despite losing Anthony Rendon to the Angels following the championship - this team is still a contender. A dynamic catcher to manage an elite staff might be the piece that pushes this club toward a second or even third title.
Realmuto is in the 95th percentile at framing, according to Baseball Savant. By comparison, Gomes, who is a free agent next winter, is in the fifth percentile. Maybe you don't necessarily need that skill with Strasburg, Max Scherzer, and Patrick Corbin, but giving those aces some extra confidence can't hurt. Also, if there's anything to get out of the guys who fill the rotation's final two spots - in Erick Fedde and Joe Ross - Realmuto will be able to extract it.
That's not even mentioning how Realmuto's bat can help take the pressure off Juan Soto and Trea Turner, whose incredible seasons were all for naught with the Nats finishing tied for last in the division.
5. Houston Astros
Current catchers: Martin Maldonado, Garrett Stubbs
The Astros are in a weird spot. They looked like a lock to become a dynasty after winning the 2017 World Series. Now, they've lost Justin Verlander to injury, Gerrit Cole to the New York Yankees, and Jose Altuve to whatever happened to him this past season.
Should the Astros retool for another deep postseason run by signing Realmuto? Almost definitely. Will they, under general manager James Click? That's unclear. It's more likely they'll make small moves to improve the rotation, bullpen, and outfield while rolling with Maldonado, who is still one of the game's premier defensive catchers. Realmuto would go a long way in replacing George Springer's bat.
6. San Diego Padres
Current catchers: Austin Nola, Francisco Mejia
The Padres are a couple of months removed from acquiring Nola from the Seattle Mariners, so catching probably isn't top of mind. But the idea of a seasoned and elite game-caller like Realmuto helping Dinelson Lamet, Chris Paddack, and a host of top-tier pitching prospects is tantalizing.
Nola is 31 years old, but he's inexpensive and under team control for at least five more years. Investing in other areas might be more sensible. However, San Diego doesn't have many areas of need - perhaps the bullpen and better outfield bench bats - so adding Realmuto could make more sense than it seems.
7. Toronto Blue Jays
Current catchers: Danny Jansen, Alejandro Kirk
The Blue Jays being interested in every free agent has become a running gag. There are areas of clear and dire need that Toronto should address this winter, particularly the rotation, outfield, and bullpen. Free agents like George Springer and DJ LeMahieu make a lot more sense. After that, trading for a superstar like Francisco Lindor or Kris Bryant should be the focus. If those players are too difficult to land, then signing Realmuto would be smart.
Of course, it would mean trying to find playing time elsewhere for Jansen and Kirk. Jansen has struggled over the past two seasons, so maybe he's best as a backup catcher. Kirk has impressed in the batter's box in the minors and across nine MLB games last season, but he leaves something to be desired behind the plate. Perhaps Kirk could become trade bait with Realmuto on the roster.