J.T. Realmuto is opening up about retirement as the 34-year-old Philadelphia Phillies catcher approaches free agency.
While he remains a strong defensive catcher, Realmuto has struggled offensively this season. He’s hitting .240/.307/.354 with an 82 OPS+ and five home runs — well below his career marks of a .270 average, .776 OPS, and 110 OPS+.
The numbers come after an injury-shortened 2024 season when right knee surgery limited him to 99 games, his fewest since becoming a full-time starter.
Realmuto wants to return to Philadelphia but will likely need to accept a significant reduction from his current $23.1 million salary.
With the veteran catcher closer to his career’s end, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal asked how much longer he plans to play.
“The body feels as good as it’s ever felt,” Realmuto said. “It actually feels better now than it did in the second half of last year. After the surgery, I was still trying to get some inflammation out. But this year, the knee has felt great. Everything has felt really good.
“I do want to play as long as I can. I want to keep my body in the best shape I can. I want to continue to have fun. I’ll know when it’s time to hang ’em up. If I’m not productive, if I’m not helping the team, I’m not going to try to get to the number 40.”
Family considerations could also influence his decision. Realmuto and his wife have four young children.
“If my kids get to an age where they want daddy home . . . they already want daddy home, obviously,” Realmuto said. “But if they’re not enjoying it, not enjoying the big-league life anymore, that will probably be a day I hang it up as well. Either my performance or body will tell me first, or my family will.”
Realmuto is in his 12th MLB season with a 36.9 bWAR, 173 home runs and 1,296 hits across 1,305 games. He’s earned two Gold Glove and two Silver Slugger awards.
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