Many reporters and insiders predict the Boston Red Sox will be one of the most active teams this offseason — they've already traded for starting pitcher Sonny Gray, and they've been linked to seemingly every slugger on the free agent and trade markets.
One of the most curious players in whom Boston has taken an interest is longtime Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (subscription required). The veteran doesn't match up with the other types of players the Sox have checked in with this winter (Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso would address positions of need and Kyle Schwarber would be a pure-DH slugger), but there would be some value to adding such an experienced player to their young roster.
Realmuto slashed .257/.315/.384 with a .700 OPS, 26 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs, 129 strikeouts and 36 walks over 134 games in 2025. Most of his homers left the yard over the left field wall, and he could make good use of the Green Monster. Realmuto, who will be 35 on Opening Day, has begun to show some signs of age behind the plate, but he's still an elite catcher in some categories, such as caught stealing above average and pop time (he ranks in the 95th and 99th percentiles, respectively).
Yonder Alonso, a former major league first baseman and current MLB analyst, proposed that the Red Sox could trade Carlos Narváez to bring Realmuto in as their primary catcher. Boston fans have not reacted well to the idea.
Red Sox's interest in J.T. Realmuto is strange after Carlos Narváez's breakout season
Would signing J.T. Realmuto open up the possibility of a Carlos Narváez trade for the Red Sox? 🤔@YonderalonsoU breaks down how it could work. pic.twitter.com/46ifqrt2tb
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 2, 2025
Narváez posted a great rookie season with the Red Sox after they acquired him in a trade with the Yankees. He batted .241/.306/.419 with a .725 OPS, 27 doubles, 15 homers, 50 RBI, 111 strikeouts and 38 walks over 118 games. He emerged as one of the best defensive catchers in the American League — something Boston was sorely missing with Connor Wong as its primary backstop — and his blocks above average, framing and caught stealing stats, as well as his pop time, all rank in the 80th percentile or higher.
Given the Sox's other offensive needs, it makes no sense to trade a well-rounded young catcher on an arbitration contract for an aging free agent who would demand more money, unless they could get a top-tier starter or slugger in return. Even Wong is a good backup catcher for the amount Boston is due to pay him next season, and its resources would be better used elsewhere to pursue a bat with more homers in it.
The Red Sox's interest in Realmuto seems more in line with their self-imposed spending restrictions rather than a desire to upgrade behind the plate. Realmuto is 35 and won't demand a contract near the length and price that Alonso and Bregman would, for example. Boston has lost out on most major free agents in recent years due to its reluctance to commit to players long-term, as evidenced by its refusal to give Bregman the contract he initially sought last season.
Realmuto is a great player who's years of big league and playoff experience would work well for the Red Sox. But there's no reason to pay top dollar for the best free agent catcher on the market when they already have a young, controllable backstop and more pressing needs to address elsewhere on the roster.