The Phillies were hoping to have clarity at catcher by mid-January, but that hasn’t materialized. Veteran backstop J.T. Realmuto is still on the open market, and despite approaching his age-35 season, he stands out as the most dependable catcher available in free agency. His unique value has slowed negotiations with Philadelphia, a team that still wants him back but must also prepare for other possibilities.
As a result, the Phillies have begun exploring contingency options. While none are ideal replacements, the club has moved to add depth by signing catchers to minor-league deals for spring training, giving them potential backup options should Realmuto depart. One such move was finalized earlier this week.
According to MLB.com’s transaction log, Philadelphia signed catcher René Pinto to a minor-league contract on Tuesday, though the deal took a few days to appear publicly, as is common with such agreements. Pinto, 29, has appeared in 83 major league games, all with the Tampa Bay Rays. After being waived by Tampa Bay following the 2024 season, he spent time at the Triple-A level in both the Arizona Diamondbacks’ and Toronto Blue Jays’ systems.
Pinto chose free agency after Toronto’s close World Series defeat in November, likely seeking an organization with a clearer path behind the plate. Philadelphia fits that profile, as its projected Opening Day catchers currently include Rafael Marchán and Drew Stubbs. Over his limited MLB career, Pinto has posted a .231 average with 10 home runs and a .404 slugging percentage. If he can improve his on-base production, he could emerge as a viable backup catcher at the major league level.
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