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The Real Reason the Phillies Might Take J.T. Realmuto off the Catcher Position
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- The Real Reason the Phillies Might Take J.T. Realmuto off the Catcher Position
J.T. Realmuto could see time at first base next season as the Philadelphia Phillies consider how to manage the veteran catcher's workload. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is aware that Realmuto wants to improve offensively and feels mentally drained by his responsibilities.
John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported the update on Thursday, Oct. 15, following discussions between Realmuto and Dombrowski. Realmuto feels good physically, but the Phillies could explore using him at first base as another way to manage his workload.
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The possibility comes after a difficult season for Philadelphia, which finished 88-74 and second in the National League East. The Phillies lost their Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves, ending their postseason run and leaving the organization with questions to address during the offseason.
Realmuto's offensive production gives the Phillies a clear area to address. He hit .205 with 11 home runs, 51 RBIs and a .614 OPS across 123 regular-season games in 2026. Those numbers fell short of his career marks, making his stated desire to improve at the plate particularly relevant as Philadelphia evaluates its roster.
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The 35-year-old remains an experienced presence behind the plate. However, catching requires more than handling pitches and throwing out baserunners. Managing a pitching staff, preparing for opposing hitters and handling defensive responsibilities can also add to a catcher's mental workload over a long season.
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Giving Realmuto occasional starts at first base could provide the Phillies with another way to keep his bat in the lineup while reducing his time behind the plate. It would also give the coaching staff more flexibility when deciding how to distribute playing time across the infield and catching positions.
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For now, a move to first base remains a possibility rather than a confirmed change to Realmuto's primary position. Dombrowski and the Phillies will have to determine how best to use the veteran as they plan for 2027, with Realmuto's offensive improvement and workload among the issues to consider.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
