yahoo
With the 2026 World Series now complete, Major League Baseball teams are finalizing their rosters for the offseason. On Thursday, October 29, several Phillies players elected free agency, but a more notable roster move saw Philadelphia designate catcher Garrett Stubbs for assignment.
Multiple reports indicate that Stubbs has been informed of the designation. Once the transaction is official, the Phillies will have five days to either trade the 33-year-old backstop or place him on waivers.
Stubbs has spent the last five seasons with Philadelphia and has appeared in eight MLB seasons overall. In 2026, he played in 35 games and posted a .153 batting average with no extra-base hits and three RBI. Over 59 at-bats, his OPS+ was just 2.
Anthony Franco of MLBTR.com noted that the move concludes Stubbs' five-year tenure with the organization. The Phillies originally acquired the left-handed-hitting catcher from the Houston Astros in a minor trade during the 2021-22 offseason. Stubbs served as the backup to J.T. Realmuto for three seasons before falling to third on the depth chart in the last two years, as Rafael Marchan took over the reserve role.
Key Analysis
It is entirely plausible that the Phillies will seek another depth catcher, especially since the organization has already announced plans to reduce Realmuto's workload next season. Stubbs' departure creates a need for additional catching depth behind Realmuto and Marchan.
Originally reported by yahoo.