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Phillies continue to pursue J.T. Realmuto, invite Drew Butera to spring training

The Phillies continued Tuesday to inquire about the Marlins catcher, a source confirmed.

MLB All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto of the Miami Marlins talks with pitcher Brian Johnson (61) of the Boston Red Sox on the mound after giving up four runs against All Japan in the fifth inning of Game 2 of their All-Stars Series baseball at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Toru Takahashi)
MLB All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto of the Miami Marlins talks with pitcher Brian Johnson (61) of the Boston Red Sox on the mound after giving up four runs against All Japan in the fifth inning of Game 2 of their All-Stars Series baseball at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Toru Takahashi)Read moreToru Takahashi / AP
    by Matt Breen
    Published 

The Phillies added depth behind the plate on Tuesday, but they are still looking to add one of baseball’s premier catchers as spring training nears.

The Phillies continued Tuesday to inquire about the Marlins' J.T. Realmuto, a source confirmed, after they invited veteran Drew Butera to spring training on a minor-league deal. Butera, 35, could give Andrew Knapp a push as Jorge Alfaro’s backup but is most likely ticketed for triple A.

The Marlins have listened to offers this winter on Realmuto as they continue to flip their roster. But the Phillies have found the price for Realmuto, who hit .277 last season with a .825 OPS, to be too high. Yahoo! Sports reported Tuesday that “there could be some traction” with the Phillies landing him. Realmuto turns 28 in March and can not become a free agent until after the 2020 season. He is one of baseball’s best defensive catchers and last season led all catchers in OPS and was tied for the National League lead for RBIs among catchers (74).

Butera, who is regarded for his defense, has a career .201 average with a .258 on-base percentage over nine seasons with Kansas City, Minnesota, the Dodgers, Rockies, and Angels. He spent last season with the Royals and Rockies. He will join Alfaro, Knapp, Rob Brantly, Deivi Grullon, and Matt McBride as the catchers in camp.