Now It's J.T. Realmuto's Turn - And Why I Like the García Move

All right, J.T. - let’s stop messing around and finish this.

Coming into this offseason, I had two non-negotiables: Schwarber and Realmuto. Schwarber’s back. Sweet. Now get the other one done. Because if the Phillies are serious about winning, actually winning, they cannot let J.T. Realmuto walk. Yes, the bat isn’t what it used to be. That’s not the point. Realmuto is awesome with the pitching staff, one of the best in baseball at controlling the running game, and a flat-out leader in the clubhouse. You don’t replace that. You don’t “figure it out later.” You keep it- especially when your window is now. Dombrowski needs to close this out this week. Period.

Moving forward, there is still more business to handle. The signing of Adolis García is a real step in the right direction. Make no mistake about it, Nick Castellanos is done here, and his best days were already behind him in Philadelphia. Defensively, this isn’t close. García is a former Gold Glover and a massive upgrade in right field. Gone are the days of holding your breath on fly balls. García covers ground, handles the foul line to the right-center gap, and brings a legit cannon to right field. That alone changes games and it's been too long since the Phillies had an athletic right fielder...probably Jason Werth and Hunter Pence.

And it’s not just defense. García has shown up when it matters most in October. Castellanos had moments, there's no denying that, but with the protection this lineup will give him, if García stays healthy, 25+ homers at the Bank feels like the floor, not the ceiling. Add in more speed, stolen bases, fewer double plays, and suddenly the Phils lineup just saw a nice upgrade.

Photo Credit: Terrence Lewis | Icon Sportswire

But I’m not done. If the plan is García in right and a Crawford-Marsh shuffle in center and left, that’s not a championship outfield. It's just not enough. And this team should not be settling for anything right now. I want Harrison Bader. BADLY.

With Ranger Suárez likely gone, I need to have Justin Crawford in left, Bader in center, García in right. Elite defense. Speed everywhere, and 2/3 of the outfield with proven post season success. The pitching staff would be ELATED if the Phillies rolled that outfield out behind them, and in a hitters park they should. That’s how the Phillies can win a championship next year. I truly believe that Bader is that one player and it wouldn't take jumping through hoops with potential trades involving Bohm at third to find another upgrade.

The Phillies need J.T. The Phillies need to finish the outfield and push the chips in. Because if they actually pull this off…PREPARE THE FLOATS™!