This Philadelphia Phillies star has sent a strong message to the frustrated fanbase.
Philadelphia Phillies fans have not exactly been riveted by their team's offseason moves, because, well, the Phillies haven't done all that much.
Philadelphia re-signed Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, but it also lost key pieces like Ranger Suarez and Harrison Bader and didn't make any truly significant additions.
That is, of course, unless you count outfielder Adolis Garcia — who was non-tendered by the Texas Rangers — or relief pitcher Brad Keller.
To be fair, the Phillies did try to land Bo Bichette, but the slugger decided to settle for the New York Mets' shorter-term, higher AAV contract instead.
Understandably, the Philadelphia faithful is aggravated that the team is essentially running it back from last year, but with Spring Training now underway, Realmuto has delivered a strong message to the fanbase.
“Some people are upset that it’s not enough change,” Realmuto said, via Matt Gelb of The Athletic. “There’s a lot to be excited about here.”
Realmuto then revealed he feels that the Phillies may be the ballclub best equipped to take down the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers, who ousted Philadelphia from the NLDS back in October.
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.“Of course, we feel like we’re every bit (of) a contender as anybody else,” Realmuto added. “Obviously, the Dodgers have won two in a row, so they’re the team everybody’s chasing down. But there’s not a team, in my opinion, that has a better chance to beat them than we do. So that’s why I’m excited for this season.”
But is that really true?
The Phillies have serious questions in their lineup, as they lack another power hitter beside Schwarber and Bryce Harper.
Not only that, but their starting rotation — which was once a major strength — is in flux due to Suarez's departure and Zack Wheeler slated to miss the beginning of 2026 as he recovers from thoracic outlet syndrome.
Philadelphia has posted back-to-back 95-win campaigns and has made the playoffs four years in a row, but you do have to wonder if things are getting stale in the City of Brotherly Love.
Even Realmuto himself has shown serious signs of decline the past couple of years, as evidenced by his .700 OPS in 2025.
We'll see if the two-time All-Star ends up being right in his assertion, or if Phillies fans will prove entirely justified in their frustration.
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