The Philadelphia Phillies entered the 2026 season with familiar expectations behind the plate. For years, J.T. Realmuto had been one of baseball’s premier catchers, providing a rare combination of power, speed, defensive ability, and durability.

But the position became a major weakness in 2026.

Realmuto endured one of the least productive offensive seasons of his career, while backup catchers Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchán struggled to provide meaningful contributions with the bat. Their defensive skills remained valuable, but the Phillies received far too little offense from a position that once gave them a significant advantage.

Now, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski faces an uncomfortable question heading into the 2027 season: Can Philadelphia continue relying on its current catching group, or is it time to bring in outside help?

With the Phillies determined to return to World Series contention, their catching situation deserves more attention than it might initially appear to warrant.

J.T. REALMUTO: GRADE D

Realmuto’s reputation was built on his ability to do almost everything a team could want from a catcher. During his prime, he combined offensive production with strong defense and unusual athleticism for the position.

However, age and declining offensive production became difficult to ignore in 2026.

The 35-year-old hit .205 with 11 home runs and a .614 OPS, a disappointing return for a veteran playing under a three-year, $45 million contract. He also recorded a career-low offensive season by several measures, leaving the Phillies with less production from their starting catcher than they had grown accustomed to receiving.

Realmuto still brought experience, leadership, and valuable defensive skills to the position. His performance with baseball’s new automated ball-strike challenge system was another positive, demonstrating that he continued to offer important contributions even as his offensive numbers declined.

Nevertheless, Philadelphia needs more from its starting catcher.

The Phillies cannot expect Realmuto to return to his prime simply because the team needs a rebound. Instead, they must find a realistic way to get more production out of him while reducing the physical and mental demands of his position.

VERDICT: Realmuto receives a D for his disappointing offensive production, although his overall value cannot be measured by batting statistics alone. A better-managed workload could help him deliver a stronger season in 2027.

GARRETT STUBBS: GRADE F

Stubbs entered 2026 as a familiar backup option, but his offensive struggles made it increasingly difficult for the Phillies to trust him when Realmuto needed a break.

The backup catcher hit just .153 with a .368 OPS across 65 plate appearances. Those numbers illustrate how little Philadelphia received offensively from the position when its regular starter was out of the lineup.

Stubbs does offer some useful qualities. He has experience working with the pitching staff, and his versatility allows the Phillies to use him in several roles beyond catching. He has also demonstrated value as a pinch-runner and occasional option elsewhere on the field.

Those contributions matter over a long season.

However, versatility cannot completely compensate for an inability to reach base consistently. When a team is already searching for more offensive production, carrying a backup catcher who provides almost nothing at the plate creates another obstacle.

Philadelphia does not necessarily need Stubbs to become an everyday player. It does need him—or whoever occupies the backup role—to offer a more dependable offensive option.

VERDICT: Stubbs earns an F for his batting performance. His utility could still make him a useful depth piece, but the Phillies must seriously evaluate whether he remains the right backup.

RAFAEL MARCHÁN: GRADE F

Marchán’s defensive reputation provides a stronger argument for keeping him around than his offensive numbers do.

Dombrowski has praised Marchán’s receiving ability, and the catcher has shown that he can contribute behind the plate. His defensive work should not be dismissed simply because his batting performance was poor.

Unfortunately, his offense became another significant problem.

Marchán hit .099 with a .302 OPS in 95 plate appearances during the 2026 season. That production left the Phillies with almost no offensive support when Realmuto was unavailable.

A backup catcher is not expected to produce like Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber. The position demands defensive competence, communication with pitchers, and the ability to handle a difficult workload.

But there is a difference between modest offensive production and a bat that consistently places the team at a disadvantage.

Marchán may still have value as a defensive specialist, particularly if the Phillies believe his receiving skills can help their pitching staff. The problem is that Philadelphia cannot assume those skills will make up for another season of offensive struggles.

VERDICT: Marchán receives an F for his offensive production. His defense could justify keeping him in the organization, but the Phillies should not mistake defensive potential for a complete solution at backup catcher.

THE NUMBERS EXPOSE A SERIOUS PHILLIES PROBLEM

The combined production from Philadelphia’s catchers tells the story.

According to reporting on the team’s 2026 season, the Phillies’ catchers collectively produced a .181 batting average, a .253 on-base percentage, and a .285 slugging percentage. The group also recorded a major-league-worst 47 wRC+, an advanced offensive measure that adjusts production for league and ballpark conditions.

Those numbers are particularly concerning for a team with championship ambitions.

Philadelphia’s lineup already faced questions about consistency and depth during the season. When its catchers also struggled to produce, opposing pitchers had another opportunity to attack the lineup without fearing a meaningful offensive response.

The problem was not simply that Realmuto had a disappointing year. His backups struggled so badly that the Phillies had little offensive relief available at the position.

That left the organization with two connected problems: its veteran starter needed to improve, and its backup options needed to become more productive.

Addressing only one would leave the other unresolved.

DAVE DOMBROWSKI KNOWS THE BACKUP CATCHER POSITION MUST IMPROVE

The Phillies’ front office has already acknowledged the need to examine its catching depth.

Dombrowski wants Realmuto to catch fewer games in 2027, giving the veteran additional opportunities to rest. The plan is sensible, particularly after Realmuto caught 124 games during the 2026 regular season despite dealing with back spasms.

However, reducing Realmuto’s workload will only work if Philadelphia has a dependable alternative.

The Phillies cannot reasonably ask Realmuto to handle fewer games and then expect Stubbs and Marchán to absorb the extra opportunities without addressing their offensive limitations.

A new backup catcher would give the team greater flexibility. Ideally, that player would offer credible defense, experience handling a pitching staff, and enough offensive ability to avoid becoming an automatic out.

The organization does not necessarily need to spend heavily on a star catcher. It needs to identify a player who can handle the backup role more effectively and give Realmuto meaningful opportunities to recover.

That could mean exploring the trade market, considering an affordable free agent, or evaluating internal options. The important point is that Philadelphia should not enter 2027 assuming the existing arrangement will suddenly produce different results.

SHOULD THE PHILLIES MOVE ON FROM GARRETT STUBBS AND RAFAEL MARCHÁN?

This is where the front office must make a difficult decision.

Both catchers have qualities that could make them useful in the right role. Their defensive abilities and familiarity with the organization should count for something.

But the Phillies must judge their roster based on what it needs to win, not simply on what the players have already contributed.

If Philadelphia can acquire a backup catcher with a stronger offensive track record without sacrificing important prospects or paying an unreasonable price, it should explore that opportunity.

That does not automatically mean releasing both Stubbs and Marchán. One could remain as organizational depth or compete for a role, depending on the team’s offseason moves.

The greater mistake would be treating familiarity as a reason to avoid competition.

The Phillies have limited room for passengers on a roster that needs upgrades in several areas. Catcher should be part of that evaluation, especially with Realmuto entering another season at age 36 in March 2027.

COULD A NEW BACKUP CATCHER HELP SAVE REALMUTO’S CAREER?

A better backup would not magically restore Realmuto’s former production, but it could give him a better chance to rebound.

Catching is one of baseball’s most physically demanding positions. The responsibilities extend beyond receiving pitches and making throws. Catchers must prepare for opposing hitters, communicate with pitchers, manage game situations, and remain focused through long stretches of play.

Reducing that burden could help Realmuto maintain his effectiveness when he is in the lineup.

Dombrowski has indicated that Realmuto understands the need for a different approach to his workload. The veteran has also acknowledged that his offensive performance must improve.

A more productive backup would allow the Phillies to rest Realmuto without sacrificing as much offense. It could also help the team manage his playing time over a full season rather than waiting for fatigue or injury to force a change.

That makes the backup position more important than it might appear on a depth chart.

Philadelphia is not simply searching for someone to sit behind Realmuto. It needs a player who can make a genuine contribution when the starting catcher is unavailable.

THE PHILLIES CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER SEASON LIKE THIS

Philadelphia’s catching situation is not the only issue Dombrowski must address.

The club also needs to improve its offensive consistency, evaluate its outfield options, and strengthen a bullpen that had its own difficult stretches during 2026. The team’s early postseason exit underlined the need for a more complete roster.

Still, catcher is an important part of the offseason puzzle.

A championship contender needs reliable production throughout the lineup, effective defense, and enough depth to survive the demands of a 162-game schedule. The Phillies cannot assume that their established stars will overcome every weakness around them.

Realmuto deserves the opportunity to rebound, but the team must prepare for the possibility that his offensive decline continues. Stubbs and Marchán deserve fair evaluations, but their 2026 batting numbers give the front office a clear reason to seek alternatives.

The best solution is not necessarily a blockbuster trade. It is a practical upgrade that improves the team’s options without creating another major roster problem.

FINAL VERDICT: PHILADELPHIA MUST UPGRADE ITS CATCHING DEPTH

The Phillies’ catching position went from a long-standing strength to a significant concern in 2026.

Realmuto’s offensive decline was disappointing, while Stubbs and Marchán failed to provide dependable production when called upon. Their defensive contributions remain relevant, but the overall offensive results were not good enough.

My recommendation is for the Phillies to keep Realmuto as their starting catcher while actively searching for a more productive backup.

The organization should not abandon Realmuto after one difficult offensive season, particularly when a lighter workload could help. But it must stop treating the backup position as a problem that can be solved simply by running the same players back.

Dombrowski has several offseason decisions to make. Finding a better catching combination should be among them.

The Phillies do not need their catchers to lead the offense. They simply need them to stop being one of its biggest weaknesses.

After the 2026 season, that would be a meaningful improvement.