[UPDATE: [4:45 p.m.] There were musings that after inking Andrew McCutchen, the Phillies were shopping their prospects — and even Sixto Sanchez, their stud minor league arm, was on the table. It was also pontificated that the Phils would move one of their younger infielders next, in order to potentially make some room for a Bryce Harper signing.
While those things are still up in the air, a report has a new superstar in the Phillies' sights: catcher J.T. Realmuto.
This could make sense, as the Phillies may in theory have the prospects needed to make a move for the Marlins backstop who made the All Star team and won a Silver Slugger. There is reportedly a lot of competition for the catcher, as the Mets have been working hard on a monster three-team deal that may move Noah Syndergaard.
The reported interest comes as a surprise, as the Phils current catcher, Jorge Alfaro came on strong last year and appeared to be the man for years to come.
We'll keep track of this and all the other developing stories from the Winter Meetings below:
UPDATE: [2:40] We have another update, The Athletic's Matt Gelb reports that the Phillies will indeed sign outfielder Andrew McCutchen.
UPDATE [2:20 p.m.] According to sources including NBCSP's Jim Salisbury who covers the Phillies, the team is apparently showing some serious interest in Yankees outfielder, and former Pirates All-Star and MVP Andrew McCutchen.
The Phillies are showing significant interest in free agent outfielder Andrew McCutchen, according to sources. General manager Matt Klentak has acknowledged a desire to upgrade the outfield and much attention has been focused on free agents Bryce Harper and Michael Brantley. The Phillies appear to be only lukewarm on Harper — from the megastar free-agent category, they prefer infielder Manny Machado — and they do have interest in Brantley. But McCutchen remains a player that the Phillies could strike a deal with and add to an outfield mix that includes Roman Quinn, Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams and Aaron Altherr. [NBC Sports Philadelphia]
McCutchen spent parts of last season with both the Giants and Yankees, where he hit .255 with 20 home runs. He is no longer an MVP caliber player but still can play, at age 32.
The potential move, it is also reported, will not take the Phils out of the Bryce Harper sweepstakes:
Keep checking right here for more updates as this story develops.
[10:06 a.m.] The Phillies are slated to meet with both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado's representatives in Las Vegas this week, as the Winter Meetings continue.
Yesterday we heard from Phillies manager Gabe Kapler, who was enthused about the potential of signing either of the super stars. He said Machado, despite his issues (like sometimes having a lack of hustle) will be welcomed to the Delaware Valley. He also said that Harper is one of, if not the best players in all of baseball.
Philly will do everything they can to land one or both, while also looking to potentially add a lefty starter to their all right-handed rotation:
The Phillies are trying really, really hard. Jayson Stark knows:
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