Toronto Blue Jays closing in on Philadelphia Phillies superstar
Photo credit: Orlando Ramirez / USA Today
It's been a few days since the news broke that the Toronto Blue Jays were unable to sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr to a contract extension after missing his self-imposed deadline, but it appears the Jays may have a Plan B which could come from the Philadelphia Phillies through JT Realmuto.
Key takeaway on this lightening quick throw out is how fast Realmuto gets his right foot down.
While the number was unclear to what Guerrero junior was asking, it's safe to say the Blue Jays had hundreds of millions of dollars prepared to sign as they had attempted to sign other major free agents including Juan Soto.
J.T. Realmuto 1the right replacement if Vladdy doesn't sign with the Blue Jays
Austin Owens of Fansided broached the idea of Realmuto coming to Toronto which would help the team with leadership at a position that the team could certainly use.
https://x.com/Devan_Kaney/status/1891874358760489400
https://x.com/Devan_Kaney/status/1891874358760489400
"They (the Phillies) currently have a very talented roster that could easily compete for a World Series title," Owens wrote. "However, their core of Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and J.T. Realmuto is slowly getting up in age and a couple of their contracts are about to expire. Schwarber and Realmuto are both set to become free agents at the end of 2025 and really both could be options for the Blue Jays but Realmuto's leadership at a position that is hard to come by would be hard to pass up.
"While adding Realmuto would knock fan-favorite Alejandro Kirk down on the depth chart, it would undoubtedly make the Blue Jays a better team and would be well within budget if they are not paying Guerrero." Austin Owens
"While adding Realmuto would knock fan-favorite Alejandro Kirk down on the depth chart, it would undoubtedly make the Blue Jays a better team and would be well within budget if they are not paying Guerrero." Austin Owens
Realmuto could offer Blue Jays more options
Realmuto Was drafted by the Florida Marlins in 2010, third round 104th overall. The 33 year old catcher who stands at six foot 1 and 212 lbs had 380 at bats last year which included 101 runs, fourteen home runs with 47 RBI's and two stolen bases.
On this day in 2021, the Phillies re-signed J.T. Realmuto to a five-year, $115.5 million contract.
He also had a batting average of .266 with an OBP of .322 and OPS a .751. His
veteran presence and leadership certainly would benefit the young Blue Jays organization, and it will depend on what he would be asking for when he becomes an free agent after this season.
With Guerrero junior unsigned and likely to walk as a free agent at the end of the year, there's a strong possibility the Blue Jays maybe during a major retool to realign the team closer to the American League East with the Yankees and Red Sox running the division yet again.
Previously on Blue Jays Insider
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