Phillies J.T. Realmuto explains how Mook

Earlier this week the signed superstar . The 12-year extension is worth $365 million, though $115 million is deferred and won't be fully paid out until 2044. reports the MLBPA calculates the present day value of the contract at $306.7 million.In terms of new dollars, the Betts deal is the largest contract in baseball history, beating out the 10-year Chandon Sullivan Jersey , $360 million extension signed last spring. Betts narrowly beat Trout's total guarantee record but had to take two extra years and accept a ton of salary deferrals to do it. In terms of average annual value, Mookie's deal is only -- "only" -- the 12th richest in history.The COVID-19 pandemic forced to shut down for close to four months and the league lost billions in revenue. Those revenue lo ses will be pa sed down to the players via free agency and arbitration, and while Betts will still be paid handsomely, his new contract is short of what he appeared to be in line to receive just six months ago, after a good winter for elite free agents.With Betts locked up, the No. 1 free agent on the market this offseason will be catcher J.T. Realmuto. The game's best all-around catcher turned only 29 in March and hit a solid .275/.328/.493 with 25 home runs to go Charles Woodson Jersey with his typically excellent defensive numbers last season. Realmuto is 1 for 8 with a home run through two games this year. During a conference call Saturday, Realmuto told reporters the Betts contract is "definitely positive" for the upcoming free agent cla s because it shows that no matter how much owners cry poor following the shutdown, they still have money to spend. :"It was definitely positive to see for Gerhard De Beer Jersey baseball knowing that teams still do have that money," Realmuto said."Like I mentioned a few weeks ago, I still think that the teams at the top of the market are going to be willing to spend money. Some teams are going to take advantage of the situation where half or maybe three-quarters of the league might not be interested in spending as much money. Other teams are going to really go for it and push for those players. It was good to see Betts get what he deserves."A five-year extension would cover Realmuto's age 30-34 seasons. , one of the few catchers whose all-around game is comparable to Realmuto's, will earn $91.25 million during his age 30-34 seasons (all free agent years). Prior to the Bart Starr Jersey pandemic, Grandal's $91.25 million felt like the floor for Realmuto. Teams would have to start their offers there and come up.Only two catchers have received contracts worth at least $20 million a year: ($23 million from 2011-18) and ($20 million from 2018-20). Realmuto was close to a lock to join them prior to the shutdown and he still might. The Betts deal shows there is still money to be spent in this game and there are worse ways to spend it than on a prime-aged star catcher.Realmuto told reporters there is nothing happening as far as an extension with the Phillies -- "To be honest, I'm focused on the season at this point," he said -- though the club is expected to Green Bay Packers Jackets make a major push to re-sign him. Despite spending big on and the last two offseasons, . Affording Realmuto should be a non-i sue.Of course, it takes two to tango, and a bidding war for Realmuto could be fierce even in a depre sed free agent climate. The , , and all stand out as teams that could potentially pursue Realmuto aggre sively this winter. Maybe even the should they get a new owner between now and then. The Phillies would have competition for their catcher on the open market. No doubt. . Other notable impending free agents include , , , and .