The Athletic’s Jim Bowden rates him as MLB’s top free agent:
1. J.T. Realmuto, C
Age: 29 B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 215 WAR: 1.2 OPS+: 123
Realmuto is arguably the best overall catcher in baseball.
He hits for average and power, and defensively is above average at blocking, calling a game, framing and stopping the running game.
There is no doubt that he will shatter the four-year, $73 million contract Yasmani Grandal signed with the White Sox last year, even considering the pandemic-related losses.
It only takes one large-market team to make the investment, and there just aren’t many middle-of-the-order catchers that do everything well like Realmuto. He’s definitely a difference-maker, and will get the extra year and dollars because of it.
Best fits: Phillies, Yankees, Nationals, Angels, Mets, Rockies.
Contract prediction: 6 years, $134 million.
https://theathletic.com/2168992/2020/11/03/bowden-predicting-contracts-top-25-free-agents-2020/?
