J.T. Realmuto loses arbitration case against Phillies

The decision is in.

According to a report from Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Phillies have won their arbitration case against star catcher J.T. Realmuto. The 28-year-old, who had hoped to receive $12.4 million in 2019, is now set to make $10 million in what is currently his final year before hitting free agency.

The Phillies acquired Realmuto last offseason in a trade that sent Jorge Alfaro and top prospect Sixto Sanchez to the Miami Marlins. It was a steep price to pay for two years of control, but Realmuto cemented his place as the best catcher in baseball with a brilliant offensive and defensive showing in 2019.

Realmuto led all Major League catchers in games, hits, extra-base hits, runs and RBIs last season behind a red-hot second half at the plate. Additionally, he threw out a league high 47% of baserunners who attempted to steal against him and improved his framing to become one of the premiere defensive catchers in baseball.

The next step for the Phillies will be to try to sign an extension with Realmuto. He has indicated since the end of 2019 that he intends to sign an extension and avoid free agency, and his thoughts on that haven’t changed even after being forced into arbitration with the Phillies.

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