Three teams offer help to Phillies following injury

Three unnamed teams have offered help to the Phillies since JT Realmuto’s knee surgery was announced earlier this week, as president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told Matt Gelb of The Athletic.

While Philadelphia is expected to look for some sort of short-term depth in Realmuto’s absence, Dombrowski hasn’t seemed too enamored with the options available so far, noting that all three clubs have approached the Phillies about available catchers .

“It’s generally probably not a good sign that they’re trying to get rid of it,” Dombrowski said. “Rather than the other way around when you chase them.”

Given that Realmuto is expected to miss about a month, Dombrowski appears content to “take a look at our young guys” like backup catcher Rafael Marchan in the meantime, so the Phils don’t necessarily feel much pressure to make a trade .

Philadelphia’s stellar 47-22 record also provides a little more breathing room, as the Phillies have the best record in the National League and look like a lock to return to the playoffs. Dombrowski naturally expected his team to be good, but admitted that a .681 winning percentage exceeded even his expectations, especially since the Phils were without Trea Turner for most of the season.

Turner’s impending return is an improvement in itself, and in terms of other possible trade deadline additions, Dombrowski said it’s “way, way, way, way, way too early” to begin to figure out how the market could take shape. Dombrowski cited bullpen depth as a possible area to explore, and doesn’t seem to think the Phillies will pursue a “we’re going to trade three top prospects” type of blockbuster trade.

The PBO is also aware of the impact adding and removing the roster could have on team chemistry, as Dombrowski obviously doesn’t want to disrupt what has been a winning formula for the Phillies until ‘now.