ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 30: Philadelphia catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) reacts during the Philadelphia Phillies versus the Atlanta Braves in game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series on September 30th, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Philadelphia Phillies have several questions to answer as they prepare for the 2027 season, including how to reshape a roster that once again fell short of its ultimate postseason goal. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has indicated that the organization intends to keep its starting rotation intact while exploring ways to improve elsewhere on the roster. The Phillies also have decisions to make behind the plate, where J.T. Realmuto has long been one of baseball’s most utilized catchers.

Now, as the team looks to make a change with Realmuto’s role, it has opened the general manager meetings in Las Vegas by acquiring three-year big league backstop Brian Navarreto.

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“The Phillies signed Navarreto to a minor-league contract Tuesday that includes an invitation to spring training,” CBS Sports reported on Wednesday. “Navarreto is a good defensive catcher who has posted a .559 OPS in 81 career plate appearances at the major-league level.”

Navarreto has appeared in 42 major-league games, all with the Miami Marlins, and brings defensive experience to a position where Philadelphia could use additional depth. His offensive numbers are limited, but his defensive ability could give him an opportunity to make an impression during spring training.

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Navarreto immediately becomes a candidate to compete for the Phillies’ backup catching job behind Realmuto, which is an increasingly important role.

Realmuto is entering the second season of the three-year, $45 million contract he signed last winter. However, Philadelphia is already considering a different approach to using the veteran catcher. Dombrowski recently explained that the organization decided to reduce his workload going forward.

“I said, ‘I don’t know if I can accomplish this, but I don’t want you to hear about it from the press conference. My goal is to try to reduce the number of games you catch,’” Dombrowski recalled of a conversation he had with Realmuto after this past season, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia.

And with Realmuto reducing his workload, it makes sense that the Phillies would acquire some more catching depth. The team recently cut ties with longtime backup Garrett Stubbs and the other primary option, Rafael Marchan, has struggled with injuries.

That could create a larger opportunity for a backup catcher to establish himself, particularly if the Phillies want Realmuto to receive additional starts at designated hitter or first base. Navarreto is not guaranteed to fill that role, and the organization could explore other options before Opening Day. Still, his arrival gives Philadelphia another candidate as it looks to make its catching situation work differently in 2027.