Red Sox Reportedly Interested In Three-Time All-Star Catcher

The Boston Red Sox have some needs to address in free agency, but adding another catcher was not seemingly one of them. Boston recently signed Connor Wong to a $1.375 million deal, avoiding arbitration, but is reportedly showing interest in J.T. Realmuto.

“Acquiring another catcher is not among the Sox’s top priorities, or so it has seemed,” wrote The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Jen McCaffrey on Tuesday. “But the Red Sox are showing interest in J.T. Realmuto, according to people briefed on their discussions. The usual caveats apply. It is early in free agency. Teams are touching base with a large number of players.”

The Athletic also noted that the Philadelphia Phillies were still the favorites to re-sign Realmuto, but the Red Sox’s interest may not be empty. Realmuto is still a solid defensive catcher, and even with his offensive decline, he could still have a role on the team.

“As a right-handed hitter,” The Athletic said of what role Realmuto could contribute in on the Red Sox. “As part of a tandem with catcher Carlos Narváez, who declined offensively in the final four months as he played through a knee injury. And as a clubhouse leader who would provide a strong veteran presence to a young position-player group, ideally in tandem with Bregman.”

Realmuto is not quite the big bat that Red Sox fans want to see the team sign. He will turn 35 next season and just had one of his worst offensive seasons. He slashed .257/.315/.384, and his OPS+ dipped below 100 for the first time since 2015. However, defensively, he still has value.

His framing and blocking were not great last season, but he is still among the best catchers at throwing out runners. He ranked in the 99th percentile in pop time and the 95th percentile in caught stealing above average.

Realmuto would be a cheap addition, but not one that would move the needle much for the Red Sox. He is a three-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger and two-time Gold Glover, but his best years may be behind him.