BREAKING: Phillies trade 27-year-old catcher to Cubs
The Philadelphia Phillies have been facing a significant challenge since catcher J.T. Realmuto was placed on the IL due to surgery on his right knee meniscus. The injury came at an unfortunate time, as Realmuto had been excelling in the second spot in the batting order following Trea Turner’s injury in May.
During Realmuto’s estimated four-week recovery, the Phillies have opted for a platoon of Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchán. Marchán, recently recalled to fill Realmuto’s spot on the 26-man roster, has contributed some timely hits in his first four MLB games since 2021.
Realmuto’s absence has tested the Phillies’ organizational depth, leading to speculation that the team might acquire another catcher to bolster the upper minor league levels until Realmuto’s return. Despite this possibility, the Phillies made an unexpected move by trading away a minor league depth piece in a low-profile deal on Tuesday.
Phillies trade struggling catcher to Cubs
As trade rumors surrounding the Phillies gain momentum with the MLB trade deadline just over a month away, a recent minor deal involving catcher William Simoneit has quietly taken place. The Phillies traded the 27-year-old catcher to the Chicago Cubs for cash considerations, a move that didn’t cause much stir in the MLB world. This transaction comes as a slight surprise given the Phillies’ current situation with J.T. Realmuto on the injured list.
Simoneit, who joined the Phillies this past offseason on a minor league contract after four seasons with the Oakland Athletics’ farm system, appeared in 20 games split between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. However, he struggled at the plate, hitting just .145 with two home runs, eight RBIs, and 28 strikeouts in 62 at-bats. Given these lackluster numbers, the Phillies decided to part ways with Simoneit, allowing him to seek new opportunities with the Cubs.
Despite Simoneit’s departure, the Phillies might still look to add depth at the catching position. For now, they are relying on Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchán at the MLB level. Marchán has provided some timely hits since his recall, and if further injuries occur, Lehigh Valley catcher Aramis Garcia is likely the next option.
With J.T. Realmuto expected to return in July, the Phillies will have to manage with their current catching situation while the former All-Star rehabs his knee.
