The 23-year-old confesses that he was "in a state of awe" throughout most of his rookie season. This year, he will have a chance to be the Phillies' opening-day center fielder.
Realmuto is the best catcher in baseball, and the Phillies need to sign him to an extension. First, however, they have chosen to challenge him in a potential salary arbitration case.
The Philly Special and the Phillies Special, separated by nearly 56 years, are the alpha and omega of Philadelphia sports, one a reminder of an ultimate triumph, the other of unspeakable tragedy.
Less than a month before spring training, a chief Phillies rival is suddenly searching again for a manager.
The mutual decision between the Mets and Beltrán is the latest fallout from the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal that has rocked Major League Baseball.
Manuel is preparing to return home to Florida after the scare forced him last month to travel to Philadelphia.
Instead of signing free agents Anthony Rendon or Josh Donaldson, or trading for Nolan Arenado or Kris Bryant, the Phillies kept the third-base position open this winter for the impending arrival of their 2018 first-round pick.
While the rival New York Mets were able to recoup money on the contract of oft-injured Yoenis Cespedes and reinvest it in their roster, the Phillies don't have such recourse as Odubel Herrera returns from a suspension.
The Phillies have seven days to either trade Herrera or place him on waivers.
The Astros received harsh penalties from major-league baseball commissioner Rob Manfred for their 2017 sign-stealing scheme, but they did not go far enough.
The Astros organization also was fined $5 million for cheating in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
The Phillies expect Howard and Bohm to reach Philadelphia at some point this season, and they’ll spend the first few weeks of camp getting acclimated to the major leagues.
