By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 
As expected, the Philadelphia Phillies and catcher A.J. Ellis have mutual interest in a contract for the 2017 season, per ESPN's Jayson Stark:
"The Phillies have interest in bringing back AJ Ellis as a catcher/leader/unofficial coach. He has interest in returning. Stay tuned."
Though this may just be one person's interpretation, "stay tuned" seems to suggest that a deal could be struck soon.
Ellis, 35, was acquired by the Phillies in August, as part of the deal that sent Carlos Ruiz to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Though Ellis' .216/.301/.298 slash line in 64 games between the Phillies and Dodgers in 2016 doesn't stand out, Ellis is viewed as one of the stronger "clubhouse guys" around the league. That the Phillies would have interest in retaining someone that forced Clayton Kershaw into tears when he was traded to be around both young catchers and pitchers is not a surprise.
If the Phillies were to retain Ellis, it would be interesting to see how they would work their 25-man roster. Cameron Rupp, who had a breakout offensive season in 2016, will be the Opening Day catcher in 2017 if he's still with the team. However, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported in September that the team didn't want Rupp to be the only catcher paired with prospects Jorge Alfaro and/or Andrew Knapp in 2017, so perhaps the team could look to sell high on Rupp at next week's Winter Meetings.
Of course, other scenarios exist. Alfaro and Knapp could easily begin the season in the minor leagues, though at least one of them will probably be getting fairly regular at-bats behind the plate at some point in the summer. So maybe the Phillies could keep three catchers in 2017. Maybe Knapp could switch positions, either to first base or the outfield, or Rupp could play some first base.
With or without Ellis, something is probably going to have to give with the Phillies trio of Rupp, Knapp and Alfaro. Alfaro was one of the prize pieces acquired in the July 2015 Cole Hamels trade, so the Phillies hope that he will be their franchise catcher fairly soon. Knapp, even after a disappointing 2016 season, was added to the team's 40-man roster earlier this month to protect him from being selected in the Rule 5 Draft. And Rupp may not be a perfect player, but he smashed 16 home runs and drove in 54 RBIs in 2016 for a team that figures to lack power in 2017.
