Report: Realmuto targeting contract similar to Goldschmidt's $130M deal

If the Philadelphia Phillies want to keep J.T. Realmuto beyond this season, they'll have to pony up in a big way.

Realmuto, the Phillies' All-Star catcher who's on the verge of free agency, is believed to be targeting a contract similar to the five-year, $130-million extension Paul Goldschmidt got from the St. Louis Cardinals last year, a source told Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Realmuto's next deal might also end up setting the standard at his position. His agents have been using the $23-million average annual salary that the Minnesota Twins gave Joe Mauer in 2010 as a "baseline" during talks with Philadelphia, Lauber reports. Mauer's eight-year, $184-million contract remains the largest deal ever signed by a catcher.

Talks between Realmuto and the Phillies about a possible extension have been ongoing. However, the sides mutually agreed to put discussions on hold due to MLB's stoppage because of the coronavirus, general manager Matt Klentak told Lauber on Tuesday.

Realmuto, who will turn 29 on Wednesday, slashed .275/.328/.493 with a career-high 25 homers and 83 RBIs last season, his first with the Phillies. In addition to earning his second All-Star nod, he took home Silver Slugger and Gold Glove honors in 2019.

Despite losing his arbitration case to the Phillies in February, Realmuto's $10-million salary for 2020 set an arbitration record at his position.