Phillies GM Matt Klentak addressed the media yesterday and his quote about a J.T. Realmuto contract extension is getting the most attention, as Klentak admitted that the "landscape" has changed since negotiations began.
“The landscape that we left in March is different from the one we return to now,” Klentak told the media when asked about an extension for Realmuto. “We just have to see how that manifests itself in our discussions. We still love the player, we’d still love to have him in red pinstripes for the long haul, but there’s a lot of uncertainty in the game right now on a variety of levels. We just need to play that out.”
The 29-year-old two-time all-star and one of the best catchers in baseball wants to be paid as such. Realmuto. who will become an unrestricted free-agent after the 2020 season, is reportedly looking for a deal in the five-year, $130 million ballpark.
“Candidly, we’ve been kind of nose to the ground, intake screenings and getting people here," Klentak said. "So I haven’t touched base with him. As far as a timeline, I just don’t know. I need to talk to them.”
Klentak took some heat for his comments yesterday via social media, like this tweet from our own Glen Macnow.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty right now. We need to factor that in.”-Matt Klentak on JT Realmuto contract, June 2020.“If we don’t, we don’t,” Andy MacPhail, Andy MacPhail, July, 2019.Remember when the Phillies owner said he would “win, or die trying?”
— Glen Macnow (@RealGlenMacnow)
June 30, 2020 Joe Giglio disagrees, explaining why this is a difficult situation for Klentak.
Giving Realmuto record money (nevermind too many years) would mean the Phillies have over $100M committed to five players in 2021: Harper, J.T., Cutch, Wheeler, Segura. If Klentak isn’t alllowed to go over the tax, can a real winner be built around that? I doubt it.
— Joe Giglio (@JoeGiglioSports)
June 30, 2020 Ike Reese chimed in, as well.
It’s pointless for us to worry about the years and money. Bottom line, the Phillies can’t allow him to walk. Losing him and saving $$$ doesn’t make you a better team. Eventually you’ll be spending the money on other free agents to improve the team. The farm system is bare. ----♂️
— @Ike58Reese (@Ike58Reese)
June 30, 2020 The 60-game 2020 MLB season is set to begin on July 23 and 24th, with Spring Training beginning tomorrow.
