The Phillies, as expected, have made a qualifying contract offers to free agent JT Realmuto. A qualifying offer is a one-year contract offer worth the average salary of the game's top 125 players, which works out to $18.9 million. They did not make an offer to shortstop Didi Gregorius.
The player can accept the offer and remain with his team for another year, or decline it and become a free agent. If the player declines the offer, his former team receives a compensatory draft pick. Players have 10 days to decide whether or not to accept the offer.
Realmuto will almost certainly decline the offer as he looks to become the highest-paid catcher in MLB history. He's probably looking for a minimum of a five-year, $125 million deal. I expect the Mets, and their new owner with deep pockets, to be prime pursuers for JT, along with the Yankees and maybe even the Nationals. Realmuto is reportedly not interested in playing in New York, but money talks. Phillies owner John Middleton better open his wallet and offer "stupid money" to keep JT.
I loved Didi at shortstop for the Phils. But it looks like they're intent on saving money and going with some combination of Jean Segura and Scott Kingery at second and short. I hope Kingery is recovered from COVID and his absolutely dreadful 2020 season.
Late last week, the Phils declined options on relievers Hector Neris and David Phelps. And they also declined the option on oft-injured reliever David Robertson. He gets $2 million to go away. I'd go away for half of that. Ten percent even.
Infielder Phil Gosselin and relievers Adam Morgan, Blake Parker, and Heath Hembree have been outrighted off the 40-man roster and have elected free agency. They also added pitcher Johan Quezada, who they picked up on a waiver claim.
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