MLB Trade Rumors: Blue Jays Could be Interested in Jarrod Saltalamacchia?

MLB Trade Rumors: Blue Jays Could be Interested in Jarrod Saltalamacchia?

We have not heard much chatter about the Miami Marlins plans, outside of the team wanting to get Giancarlo Stanton, and maybe a couple of teammates resigned to long-term contracts. However, another team’s interest in executing their off-season plan has brought us an interesting new rumor today.

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According to Bob Elliot of the Toronto Sun, if the Toronto Blue Jays miss out on signing Russell Martin, the Jays could turn to the trade market and could have interest in Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamcchia.

"If the Blue Jays plans to upgrade their catching by signing free-agent Russell Martin fall through, could they turn to the Florida Marlins and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who is available? Saltalamacchia won a World Series with the 2013 Boston Red Sox and signed a three-year $21-million US deal with the Miami Marlins. His first year in south Florida didn’t go well.Saltalamacchia, 29, hit .220 with 11 homers, 44 RBIs and a .681 OPS this season. He earns $7 million in 2015 and $8 million in 2016."

Trading Salty after just one season in Miami could have repercussions for a team that is already in bad standing with free agents. While Salty’s first season did not go as well as the Marlins had hoped, I do think he did a decent job of handling the Marlins young pitching staff. His offense was a major upgrade over what the team got in 2013 as well. His $7 million contract is not ridiculous either, needing him to be just a 1 win player next season.

I also don’t believe the Marlins should be trading Salty unless they are 100% sure that J.T. Realmuto is ready for a full-time gig in the majors. Turning to Jeff Mathis for a full-season behind the plate would be disastrous and the market is not flush with catchers right now.

If the team feels Realmuto, who slashed .241/.267/.345 last year in 11 games, is ready for a full-time gig next season, then only should they deal away their starting catcher.