JT Realmuto Goes Back to Phillies — What Now for Braves?

The Atlanta Braves watched another big-time free agent come off the board this week, and this one returned to the NL East. 

After several reports indicated the Atlanta Braves had some interest in free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto, he ultimately ended going back to the Philadelphia Phillies on a 5-year deal worth $115.5 million.

If you listened to our latest podcast, then know we never thought there was much to the rumors surround Realmuto and the Braves.

They’ve managed the catcher position so well over the past several years — and rather cheaply — it didn’t make much sense to give Realmuto the kind of money he was seeking, especially when they have a pretty good catcher in place for 2021 in Travis d’Arnaud and several solid catching prospects that could be ready by 2022 — if not sooner.

But still, Realmuto was the best available bat left on the market and it would have been fun to see him in a Braves uniform.

It would have made the rest of the season a lot more complicated as they still would have needed another impact bat for left field or thrid base.

We theorized that they could sign JT and then trade TDA for the other missing pieces, but again, that complicates the offseason even more and we’re just a month away from spring training — or at least I hope we are.

Where do the Braves Go From Here?

As I wrote on Monday, I think the Braves have had Ozuna in their back pocket as a fallback option if their first two options (Springer and Realmuto) didn’t work out.

With those two now off the board, I would really be surprised if the Braves don’t resign Ozuna in the next couple of days.

He’s the only free agent left that I would consider an impact bat on the lineup. And Alex Anthopoulos can’t allow the Braves to go into this 2021 season without acquiring an impact bat.

I certainly have my doubts about Ozuna, which I covered in the article linked above. Maybe AA shares those same concerns and wants to continue to test the trade market.

There are certainly several players out there that would seemingly be available who would have a huge impact on the lineup. Guys like Kris Bryant, Nolan Arenado, Jose Ramirez, and Eugenio Suarez.

For J-Ram and Suarez, it would cost a ton in prospects, but at some point you have to make that kind of trade to put your team over the top. I think those are players worth doing it for.

Bryant and Arenado would cost a lot financially, granted only for one year with Bryant.

There may be some other trade options out there we haven’t thought of, and I’m certain AA is exploring all options.

But once again, the options are thinning and the season is approaching quickly. It’s time to take some action.