The Philadelphia Phillies have optioned catcher Garrett Stubbs to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. As a result, Rafael Marchan will open the 2025 campaign as the No. 2 backstop behind J.T. Realmuto. During spring training, Stubbs has held a solid .286/.423/.381 line with a 3:4 BB:K. However, he fell short in the competition and will open the season at the top level of the minor leagues. Last summer, Stubbs was the primary No. 2 backstop behind Realmuto. Across a career-high 56 MLB contests, Stubbs posted a .207/.296/.262 slash line with four doubles and one home run. He placed in the 92nd percentile in pop time but generated a low .246 xwOBA. Fantasy managers in deeper NL-only formats should consider targeting Marchan as a low-end No. 2 option, as he would likely see the majority of opportunities if Realmuto were to miss time.
Garrett Stubbs Inks One-Year Deal With Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Phillies and catcher Garrett Stubbs have agreed to a one-year contract to avoid arbitration. Stubbs has operated as the No. 2 catcher in Philadelphia over the past three seasons and will likely remain in that role in 2025. During this span, Stubbs posted a .222/.305/.324 line with seven home runs, 39 RBI, and nine stolen bases. Last summer, Stubbs struggled in the batter's box as he held an underwhelming .192 xBA, 9.6% hard-hit rate, and 26.7% K rate. Given this extension, fantasy managers should expect J.T. Realmuto to continue to operate as the workhorse behind the dish and see the vast majority of starts. Stubbs is best left for a high-risk play in favorable matchups in DFS formats in 2025.
Phillies Acquire Garrett Stubbs, Kent Emanuel From Astros
The Philadelphia Phillies swung a trade with the Houston Astros Friday, acquiring catcher Garrett Stubbs in exchange for minor league outfielder Logan Cerny. In a separate transaction, the Phillies claimed pitcher Kent Emanuel off waivers from Houston. Stubbs is expected to fill a back-up role behind starting catcher J.T. Realmuto for the Phillies. He hasn't produced much at the big-league level, slashing .182/.238/.247 over three seasons. Emanuel had a bumpy 2021, undergoing elbow surgery as well as being suspended for using a performance-enhancing substance, though he's denied any transgression. He may miss the start of the season, but figures to be a bulk reliever and depth starting option.
Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro (Achilles) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. He has been sidelined since late May due to left Achilles soreness. He was able to get through his rehab assignment without any issues and will return to the Astros now. Castro won't have great upside in fantasy formats since he'll be in a timeshare with Martin Maldonado. In a corresponding move, Garrett Stubbs has been optioned to the minors, but he only collected three hits during his time with Houston this season.
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