Phillies Agree to $925,000 Deal with Garrett Stubbs, Tender Two More Contracts

Phillies Strengthen Depth with Stubbs Split Deal, Tender Core Pieces for 2026 Run

PHILADELPHIA — In a series of late roster decisions reinforcing stability in a fiercely competitive National League, the Philadelphia Phillies finalized a one-year, $925,000 split agreement with catcher Garrett Stubbs while tendering contracts to seven arbitration-eligible players ahead of Friday’s 5 p.m. ET non-tender deadline. The announcements, made shortly before the cutoff, maintain a balance of experience and depth for a club aiming for another serious postseason push in 2026 after winning the NL East in 2025 but falling in the Division Series.

At the center of the transactions was Stubbs, the 32-year-old catcher whose presence has grown beyond his on-field role during his time in Philadelphia. Originally acquired from the Houston Astros via the 2019 Rule 5 Draft, Stubbs’ deal pays him $925,000 if he makes the major-league roster and $575,000 if assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The structure highlights the team’s cautious but respectful approach — keeping a proven veteran available without guaranteeing a permanent roster spot.

Stubbs’ 2025 campaign was more about adjustment and leadership than star production. After losing the primary backup role to Rafael Marchán early in the season due in part to roster flexibility and health, Stubbs spent most of the year with the IronPigs. There, he registered a solid .265/.352/.402 slash line across 309 plate appearances, hitting eight home runs and driving in 50 runs while guiding a pitching staff during Lehigh Valley’s playoff run. His only appearance with the Phillies came on the final day of the regular season, when he pinch-ran and scored twice in a low-stakes victory over Washington.

“Garrett contributes far beyond numbers,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Saturday. “He plays a major role in helping our pitchers and brings energy to the clubhouse. This deal gives us roster flexibility while recognizing his impact.”

That flexibility remains important in an evolving catching situation. J.T. Realmuto, the four-time All-Star and cornerstone behind the plate, heads into the final year of his five-year, $115.5 million contract in 2026 with free agency looming. At 35, his heavy workload — over 1,200 innings caught in 2025 — has triggered discussions around managing his playing time. Marchán, who also avoided arbitration with a one-year deal, impressed last season with a .278 batting average and elite defense across 85 games, though his recurring injuries raise some concerns. Stubbs, without remaining minor-league options, figures in as emergency or depth coverage if issues arise or if the front office looks to upgrade through a potential trade, such as a theoretical pursuit of Baltimore star Adley Rutschman.

Fan sentiment over Stubbs’ return remains divided. Known as the team’s self-styled “Chief Vibes Officer,” his dugout presence and viral celebrations have earned him popularity, especially among younger fans. His pregame music and postgame dance celebrations became part of the Citizens Bank Park atmosphere, and his 2024 charity campaign, “Stubbs’ Beats for Bleeds,” generated more than $50,000 for local blood-drive initiatives. However, some critics focus on his light big-league production — a .194/.282/.278 line in limited action across 2024 and 2025 — with online threads questioning whether his intangibles outweigh on-field results.

Still, to the front office, depth matters more than optics. Philadelphia’s 2025 playoff loss to the Dodgers highlighted shortcomings in relief pitching and secondary offense, but the catching group remained steady, ranking among the league leaders in strike framing on breaking balls. Keeping Stubbs provides insurance, particularly with Realmuto’s extension talks ongoing after he declined a qualifying offer to pursue a longer-term deal.

Alongside Stubbs’ agreement, the Phillies tendered contracts to seven important contributors, avoiding arbitration disputes and projecting about $28 million in combined salaries for the 2026 season. The group features Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh, Jesús Luzardo, Jhoan Durán, Tanner Banks, and Edmundo Sosa — a mix of core starters and key support pieces.

Each player’s projected arbitration salary and 2025 contributions illustrate the team’s strategy of maintaining continuity:

These tenders ensure Philadelphia keeps a cost-controlled core that has become one of the strongest in the NL East. Stott, now entering his second arbitration year, rebounded impressively after a difficult start to 2025, anchoring the middle infield defensively. Bohm produced steady numbers, though ongoing trade rumors remain due to struggles with defensive consistency. Dombrowski’s cryptic remark — “He’s here until he’s not” — helped fuel speculation of a potential blockbuster involving outside power help.

On the pitching front, Luzardo’s acquisition during the 2025 season proved transformative, anchoring the rotation following injuries to Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. His curveball and improved command powered the Phillies to a franchise-record 97-win season. Durán seamlessly transitioned into the closer role after José Alvarado departed, dominating with triple-digit velocity. Banks continued to evolve into a trusted late-inning arm, stranding the majority of inherited runners, while Sosa remained an invaluable defensive plug-in during Trea Turner’s short IL stint.

Not every roster spot survived the process. The Phillies chose not to tender right-handers Michael Mercado and Daniel Robert, trimming the 40-man roster while claiming outfielder Pedro León off waivers from Baltimore. Mercado struggled in limited big-league appearances, while Robert’s command issues limited his long-term fit. Both now enter free agency, though minor-league returns remain possible.

These moves follow a relatively quiet week for Philadelphia’s front office, which already declined to extend qualifying offers to Kyle Schwarber and Ranger Suárez in an effort to preserve financial flexibility. With roughly $185 million committed for 2026 — placing them in the lower third of MLB payroll rankings — the Phillies retain room to pursue higher-profile free agents, such as shortstop Willy Adames or ace starter Corbin Burnes.

As the offseason progresses, the organization’s direction is clear: this is not a rebuild, but a reload. Stubbs’ return may not generate national headlines, but it reflects a calculated focus on depth, chemistry, and internal structure. The core that delivered a 97-win campaign remains largely intact, with defensive excellence and pitching strength continuing to anchor the team identity.

Inside a quiet Citizens Bank Park, the echoes of last season’s “Red October” still resonate. The 2025 campaign was marked by resilience — overcoming an early slump and a challenging late-season schedule — but also by the sting of another early postseason exit. By retaining key infielders and reinforcing the pitching staff, Philadelphia has taken early steps toward addressing those shortcomings.

Stubbs, with his familiar smile, clubhouse energy, and steady presence, symbolizes that continuity. While superstars command attention, it’s often players like him who hold a team together across 162 games. And as manager Rob Thomson noted after the deadline: “Garrett brings stability. He understands our pitchers and this environment. That matters when the pressure is on.”

The Winter Meetings in December could bring significant movement, especially with potential Realmuto extension talks, rumored trade scenarios involving power hitters, and decisions around long-term payroll management. But for now, the message from Philadelphia is clear: stability over panic, depth over drama, and preparation over reaction.

Stubbs may not sell jerseys like a superstar, but his situation reflects a team focused on details — the kind that win over long seasons. The Phillies have chosen familiarity, strategic patience, and balance as their blueprint for 2026.

In a league built on constant change, that may be their strongest weapon yet.