PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto understands better than almost anyone what awaits Willson Contreras in the offseason.
Barring a last-minute contract extension, the Chicago Cubs are expected to trade Contreras, an impending free agent, before the Aug. 2 deadline. It sets up the Cubs catcher to hit free agency in about three months.
As Realmuto went into his final arbitration year in 2020 with the Phillies, he made clear he wanted to move the free-agent market forward with whatever deal he signed on the open market. In January 2021, Realmuto signed a five-year, $115.5 million contract two months before his 30th birthday.
