What Could a Deal for J.T. Realmuto Look Like?

What Should Miami Look for in Return?

A deal that the Marlins could reference when looking for a fair return is the 2016 trade that sent Jonathan Lucroy to the Texas Rangers. The Rangers paid a hefty price for the then 30-year-old catcher.

The Brewers received Lewis Brinson who was the no. 15 prospect in baseball at the time, Luis Ortiz (no. 68 prospect) and a player to be named later that turned into Ryan Cordell.

While the trio has yet to make a huge impact at the major league level, the haul is still an impressive one for the Brewers.

At the time of the deal, Lucroy only had one and a half years remaining before free agency. Realmuto, currently has almost three years left before hitting the open market.

2016 Lucroy and 2018 Realmuto should be valued similarly on the trade market, as the pair has shown the ability to produce on both sides of the ball.

While Lucroy was marginally better in the two and a half years before he was dealt, most of that production came in a big 2014.

Lucroy 2014-2016 Pre-Trade Stats

2014- 153 GP .301/.373/.465- 13 HR- 26% CS, 24 DRS- WAR 6.6

2015- 103 GP .264/.326/.391- 7 HR-  28% CS, 3 DRS- WAR 1.0

2016 with Brewers- 95 GP .299/.359/.482- 13 HR- WAR 2.3

Realmuto 2016-2018 Stats

2016- 137 GP .303/.343/.428- 11 HR- 35% CS, (-13 DRS)- WAR 2.3

2017- 141 GP .278/.332/.451- 17 HR- 32% CS, (-5 DRS)- WAR 3.6

2018- 7 GP .385/.448/.846- 4 HR- WAR 0.6

If Realmuto stays even remotely as hot as he is right now, he has the chance to bridge the gap in WAR between him and Lucroy.

Although Lucroy has the edge when it comes to Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), Realmuto has proven to be an above average defensive catcher. Baseball Prospectus has Realmuto as the 6th best blocker in baseball According to Blocking Runs and the 13th best receiver (Receiving Runs.)

The Marlins should accept nothing less than what the Brewers received for Lucroy. They are very similar players and the slight edge that Lucroy may have in ability, Realmuto makes up for in his youth and the extra year of control.