The Philadelphia Phillies have an uncomfortable problem behind the plate, and it goes beyond J.T. Realmuto’s disappointing offensive season.

For years, Realmuto has been one of the most important players on Philadelphia’s roster. His defensive experience, ability to manage a pitching staff and reputation as an all-around catcher have made him difficult to replace. But the 2026 season exposed a weakness the Phillies can no longer afford to ignore: the lack of dependable production from their backup catchers.

Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchán struggled badly at the plate, leaving the coaching staff with few appealing alternatives when Realmuto needed a rest. Now, with the organization looking to reduce his workload in 2027, Philadelphia must decide whether to trust its existing options or search for help in free agency.

The Phillies do not necessarily need another expensive everyday catcher. They need someone who can handle regular starts, work effectively with the pitching staff and contribute enough offensively to prevent the lineup from losing momentum whenever Realmuto sits.

Three potential targets stand out: Jonah Heim, Carson Kelly and James McCann. Each offers a different combination of experience, defense and offensive potential, but one could make considerably more sense for Philadelphia than the others.

WHY THE PHILLIES CAN NO LONGER IGNORE THEIR BACKUP CATCHER PROBLEM

Philadelphia’s catching production was a significant weakness in 2026.

Marchán hit .099 with a .302 OPS in 95 plate appearances, while Stubbs finished with a .153 batting average and a .368 OPS in 65 plate appearances. Those numbers made it difficult for the Phillies to give Realmuto meaningful rest without weakening their lineup.

The problem became more significant when considering the physical and mental demands of catching.

Realmuto is approaching his mid-30s, and the responsibilities of the position have become increasingly complicated. Beyond receiving pitches and controlling the running game, catchers must prepare for opposing hitters, coordinate with pitchers and make strategic decisions throughout games.

Philadelphia has a compelling reason to protect its veteran catcher. The difficulty is finding a replacement who can provide enough production to justify taking him out of the lineup.

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has acknowledged the need to improve the position offensively. He has also emphasized that finding a catcher who can hit while providing quality defense is not easy.

That is precisely why free agency deserves serious consideration.

1. JONAH HEIM: A FORMER ALL-STAR WHO COULD OFFER POWER UPSIDE

Jonah Heim is an intriguing option because he has already demonstrated that he can contribute offensively at the major-league level.

Heim earned an All-Star selection in 2023, when he was also recognized with a Gold Glove Award. That season established him as a valuable two-way catcher capable of contributing both behind the plate and in the batter’s box.

His power potential is particularly interesting for a Philadelphia team that cannot afford another season of virtually automatic outs from its backup position.

However, Heim’s recent offensive struggles cannot be ignored. His production declined considerably in 2026, making him more of a reclamation project than a dependable offensive upgrade.

That creates both an opportunity and a risk for the Phillies.

If Philadelphia believes Heim can rediscover some of his previous power, he could provide a useful combination of experience and offensive upside. His past success also gives the organization a reasonable basis for believing that his recent struggles might not represent the best version of the player.

The concern is whether his bat can recover enough to make a meaningful difference.

WHY HE FITS PHILADELPHIA: Heim offers major-league experience, a history of power production and previous defensive recognition. He could be worth considering if the Phillies believe they can help him rebound.

THE BIGGEST RISK: His recent offensive decline makes it difficult to project him as a clear improvement without evidence of a turnaround.

Heim would be a calculated gamble rather than a guaranteed solution.

2. CARSON KELLY: THE BALANCED OPTION THE PHILLIES SHOULD CONSIDER

Carson Kelly could be one of the more sensible options if Philadelphia wants a catcher who can contribute without requiring a major financial commitment.

Kelly hit .258 with 10 home runs and a .713 OPS for the Chicago Cubs in 2026. His production would represent a substantial improvement over what the Phillies received from their backup catchers last season.

He also has experience working in a catching tandem, an important consideration for a team that wants Realmuto to handle fewer games.

Philadelphia would not need Kelly to become an offensive star. It would need him to provide competent at-bats, handle his defensive responsibilities and give the coaching staff confidence when Realmuto is unavailable.

That is a much more realistic expectation.

A backup catcher who hits around league-average levels can be valuable because the position is traditionally demanding and offensive production can be difficult to find. If Kelly can maintain a respectable bat while handling the defensive workload, he could help the Phillies improve without requiring them to overhaul the entire catching position.

His potential availability would depend on the outcome of his mutual option situation with Chicago. The Phillies would need to establish whether he actually reaches the market before pursuing him.

WHY HE FITS PHILADELPHIA: Kelly offers a reasonable blend of offense and experience, with a profile that could suit a team seeking a dependable second catcher rather than another everyday starter.

THE BIGGEST RISK: His 2026 numbers do not guarantee that he will reproduce the same production in Philadelphia, and his market availability remains a factor.

Of these three candidates, Kelly could offer the most attractive balance between immediate usefulness and financial practicality.

3. JAMES McCANN: THE VETERAN WHO COULD SOLVE A PRACTICAL PROBLEM

James McCann might not generate the same excitement as a younger catcher with greater offensive upside, but Philadelphia should not dismiss him.

The veteran hit .282 with a .311 on-base percentage, a .455 slugging percentage and seven home runs in 166 plate appearances for Arizona in 2026. His .766 OPS would have represented a substantial improvement over the Phillies’ backup-catching production.

McCann’s value extends beyond those numbers.

He has spent years working with major-league pitching staffs and understands the demands of handling a pitching rotation. That experience could be particularly useful for a Phillies team seeking a backup who can step into the lineup without requiring the coaching staff to rethink its entire approach.

There is also a connection to Dombrowski. When Dombrowski oversaw baseball operations with the Detroit Tigers, the organization selected McCann in the second round of the 2011 MLB Draft.

That connection could make McCann a familiar name for the Phillies’ front office, although it does not guarantee that the team will pursue him.

The biggest question is whether McCann wants to continue playing and whether his 2026 offensive production is sustainable.

At 36, he would not be a long-term answer. But the Phillies may not need one this offseason. They need someone who can reliably cover a portion of the schedule while allowing Realmuto to remain fresher for the games that matter most.

WHY HE FITS PHILADELPHIA: McCann brings experience, a recent offensive performance that compares favorably with the Phillies’ internal options and a profile suited to a limited role.

THE BIGGEST RISK: His age and uncertain future plans make him a short-term solution, and Philadelphia should not assume that his recent batting numbers will continue.

If the Phillies want an experienced catcher on a potentially affordable deal, McCann deserves consideration.

COULD ANY OF THESE CATCHERS ACTUALLY OUTPERFORM J.T. REALMUTO?

That question requires an important distinction.

A backup catcher could outperform Realmuto offensively over a particular stretch without being the better overall player. Catchers handle different workloads, face different pitching situations and provide different levels of defensive value.

Realmuto’s 2026 season was disappointing. He hit .205 with 11 home runs and a .614 OPS, well below the offensive production Philadelphia had come to expect from him. Nevertheless, the organization continues to value his experience and work behind the plate.

Kelly and McCann both posted higher OPS figures in 2026, while Heim offers the possibility of a rebound if he can rediscover his previous offensive form. But their numbers should not automatically be interpreted as proof that they would be better everyday catchers.

Philadelphia should instead focus on what it needs from the position.

Realmuto remains the established starter. The new backup must provide enough offense to make his rest days productive rather than simply giving the Phillies a defensive replacement who is unlikely to contribute at the plate.

If one of these candidates produces more consistently in a limited role, that would be a significant victory for the organization.

The goal is not to replace Realmuto. It is to reduce the pressure on him to play nearly every day.

WHY THE PHILLIES SHOULD BE CAREFUL ABOUT SPENDING TOO MUCH

Philadelphia has several offseason priorities, and backup catcher should not automatically become one of the most expensive.

The team must evaluate its offensive needs, pitching depth and the future of an aging core. Spending heavily on a second catcher could leave fewer resources available to address more pressing weaknesses elsewhere on the roster.

That makes the distinction between Kelly, Heim and McCann important.

Kelly could offer the most balanced profile, provided he becomes available at a reasonable price. Heim could be worth a low-cost investment if the Phillies believe in his ability to rebound. McCann could provide a practical short-term option if he wants to continue playing.

The Phillies should avoid treating any of these players as a guaranteed fix.

A good offseason decision begins with identifying the specific job Philadelphia needs the player to perform. In this case, the priority is a dependable backup who can provide credible offense, maintain the quality of the catching defense and give Realmuto additional days away from the position.

The best signing might not be the most recognizable name.

FINAL VERDICT: CARSON KELLY COULD BE THE BEST FIT FOR THE PHILLIES

The Phillies do not need to panic, but they cannot afford to repeat the same mistake in 2027.

Realmuto needs more rest, and the organization has already acknowledged that the offensive contribution from the backup position was inadequate. Leaving everything unchanged would make little sense unless Philadelphia genuinely believes its internal options can improve significantly.

Of these three potential targets, Carson Kelly would be my preferred option, assuming he becomes available and the financial terms are reasonable.

He offers a promising balance of offensive production and experience without requiring the Phillies to pursue another catcher as an everyday starter. McCann would be a sensible alternative for a short-term role, while Heim would be an intriguing lower-cost gamble if the organization believes he can rediscover his previous form.

The final decision will depend on availability, cost and the front office’s evaluation of each player’s defense.

But the bigger message is clear: Philadelphia needs to give Realmuto a better supporting cast.

If the Phillies want their veteran catcher to be fresher and more productive in 2027, they must find someone the manager trusts enough to start regularly.