Phillies Drop Major Free Agent Hint With Latest Move

The Philadelphia Phillies certainly did not get the production they wanted out of the catcher position this past season.

J.T. Realmuto struggled mightily after signing a three-year, $45 million contract to remain with the team last winter, and neither Garrett Stubbs nor Rafael Marchan produced behind him.

Dave Dombrowski has made it clear he would like to get Realmuto some more rest next season, but some weren't sure if that meant giving more playing time to Stubbs or finding another backstop in free agency.

Well, now, the answer has become clear.

The Phillies have informed Stubbs that he will be designated for assignment, via Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, which means that the veteran has likely played his last game in a Phillies uniform.

This is also a clear indication that Philadelphia plans on pursuing another catcher on the open market, and there will certainly be some options available.

The Phillies have already been linked to a possible run at Carson Kelly, for example, and Tyler Stephenson could also represent a sneaky good choice.

Gary Sanchez will be up for grabs, as well, but whether or not Philadelphia would want his subpar defense behind the plate is the question.

The Phillies could also peruse the trade market for answers, with San Diego Padres backstop Luis Campusano comprising a potential option for the club.

Regardless, it's obvious that Philly would prefer to find a more fruitful backup than Stubbs, who slashed just .153/.215/.153 over 65 plate appearances and 35 gams with the squad this past season.

The 33-year-old has been with Philadelphia since 2022, owning a .593 OPS across 181 games with the club. His defense has been his calling card, but with Realmuto's bat slipping tremendously the past couple of years, the Phillies absolutely need to add some more offense behind the dish.

It should also be noted that Ryan Jeffers is a free agent, as well, but the chances of Philadelphia handing him a lucrative multi-year deal after having already given Realmuto his contract are slim to none.

Colorado Rockies star Hunter Goodman — who smashed 41 home runs in 2026 — will likely hear his name floated in more trade speculation this winter, but the Phillies probably don't have the ammo required to poach him from Denver. The same goes for William Contreras in Milwaukee.

Nevertheless, the Phillies have made it clear that they would prefer an upgrade. How they actually go about acquiring one remains to be seen.