1 move the Phillies must make after re-signing JT Realmut, letting go of Bo Bichette

The Philadelphia Phillies‘ offseason now revolves around the ripple effects of the New York Mets’ aggressive free agency strategy—an approach that increasingly shapes every major decision in the NL East. After re-signing JT Realmut and losing Beau Bichet to the Mets, the Phillies face a moment that calls for urgency, clarity and conviction.

Chaos in the Owls League on Friday left no room for half measures. Realmut’s return stabilized the core. Bichet’s decision to take a short-term, high-impact deal with the Mets changed the balance of power in the division. Taken together, these events have made one truth clear, the Phillies cannot stand still as their archrival reshapes the division’s competitive landscape.

Realmut’s three-year contract is important because it preserves continuity. His offensive decline in 2025 didn’t diminish his impact on game planning, pitcher confidence or defensive leadership. Locking him up until 2028, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski strengthened the foundation of the team. But while the move established a stable floor, it didn’t raise the ceiling.

That reality points to one clear move the Phillies must make now — they must sign Cody Bellinger. It is no longer a luxury, it is a structural necessity. With the Mets’ emphasis on elite contact and lineup depth, the Phillies have to contend with a player who can make a significant impact on games on both sides of the field.

Bellinger is dealing with multiple issues at once. In defense, he establishes order. Throwing in center field allows Brandon Marsh to return to his optimal role in the outfield, creating a more efficient alignment. Offensively, Bellinger brings left-handed power that extends the lineup behind Bryce Harper and helps make up for the production lost when Bichet signed with New York.

Financially, the fit is obvious. Philadelphia prepared to commit premium dollars to Bichet. Shifting that budget toward Bellinger turns a missed opportunity into a calculated pivot. In a division where the arms race is accelerating, marginal upgrades are no longer enough.

Timing is as critical as it is appropriate. The Mets have already made their intentions known with a bold move. The Atlanta Braves remain dangerous when healthy. Waiting allows the market to set the terms rather than the Phillies influencing them. Dombrowski’s track record suggests he won’t hesitate, especially with a veteran core working on a championship deadline.

If the Phillies don’t respondthe consequences are clear. Going into the season without adding a transformation leaves the lineup thinner and the defense exposed. In a division where New York turns financial strength into an immediate advantage, restraint becomes a must.

The verdict is clear. Stability was preserved by re-signing Realmut. The loss of Bichette heightened the urgency. Signing Bellinger is a move that restores balance, answers the Mets’ challenge and keeps the Phillies in check on their road to contention.

It reinforced the organization’s commitment to its veteran core and ensured that leadership behind the plate remained intact — a critical factor with a rotation that relies on rhythm, order and trust between pitchers and catchers.

Now, pairing that same belief with another bold move could define not only this offseason, but the Phillies’ trajectory in a division where hesitation is punished and ambition is rewarded.