Report: Phillies Sign J.T. Realmuto to Five-Year, $115.5 Million Deal

J.T. Realmuto's five-year, $115.5 million deal with the Phillies will break the record for the highest average annual value of any catcher contract in MLB history.

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The Phillies have agreed to a five-year, $115.5 million contract with catcher J.T. Realmuto on Tuesday, according to SportsGrid's Craig Mish.

Realmuto, 29, is a two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger honoree. He was traded to Philadelphia in February 2019 after five seasons with the Marlins. Realmuto posted a .840 OPS in 2020, and he's tallied 36 home runs and 115 RBI in just over 700 at-bats with the Phillies.

Tuesday's contract marks the second one signed for over $100 million during free agency. The Blue Jays signed outfielder George Springer to a six-year, $150 million deal on Jan. 19, while the Yankees re-signed D.J. LeMahieu to a six-year, $90 million deal on Jan. 15.

Realmuto will now earn more than any catcher in baseball in 2021, passing Buster Posey's $21.4 million salary with the Giants. Realmuto's contract marks the highest average annual value for any catcher in MLB history, surpassing the $23 million mark previously earned by former Twins catcher Joe Mauer.

J.T. Realmuto's 5 year, $115.5 million reported contract means an average annual value of $23.1M

That surpasses the prior record for a catcher contract, which was $23M on Joe Mauer's 8-year, $184M deal with the Twins

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) January 26, 2021

Philadelphia is seeking its first playoff appearance since 2011. The Phillies finished third in the National League East in 2020 at 28–32.