Will the Astros make a deal for Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto?

Are the Houston Astros the latest Major League team to join the trade talk for Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto this offseason?

The Miami Marlins are asking quite a bit from any team willing to make an offer for catcher J.T. Realmuto. Multiple sources, including mlbtraderumors.com and cbssports.com, have written Realmuto’s 2018 season essentially raised the value of the asking price given the organization does not have to do anything other than expect the All-Star to show up for Spring Training in February.

"“There are as many as 10 teams showing some degree of trade interest in Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, tweets MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro, who also notes that Miami’s lofty asking price isn’t likely to drop anytime soon,” writes Steve Adams.“The Astros are one of the many teams in the Realmuto market, per MLB.com’s Jon Morosi (Twitter links), but to this point, they’ve insisted that either outfielder Kyle Tucker or right-hander Forrest Whitley be at the center of the return.”"

The Astros aren’t the only team that has been the focal point of trade news involving Realmuto as the Atlanta Braves have made it known they would love to obtain him. The Los Angeles Dodgers have prospects to trade and are in the market for a starting catcher as well.

It is believed as many as 10 teams have made inquiries about trading for Realmuto. Not all teams have been made public. The New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals are also on that list.

"“Whatever the specifics, expect the Marlins to land a very nice package of young players in return should they, at last, decide to green-light a Realmuto trade,” writes Dayn Perry of CBS Sports."

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Should Realmuto find a new home this offseason, it would mean the last of the remaining “core” players from the 2017 season will jump off the roster for the 2019 season. CEO and team co-owner Derek Jeter has wiped the cupboard clean of a roster that included high-profile players for development potential and mid-level hitters and pitchers.

The Marlins have worked to reduce their payroll, which should hover around $100 million for the upcoming season.

"Per Adams, “Miami’s asking price in talks with the Astros somewhat mirrors their previous ask from the division-rival Nationals; Washington has been known to have interest in Realmuto for the past year, but reports have indicated that the starting point in any talks last winter was one of two prized young outfielders: Victor Robles or 2018 Rookie of the Year runner-up Juan Soto.”"

There has also been some talk of a trade with the New York Yankees that would involve a swap of catchers. Gary Sanchez would move to the Marlins with Realmuto traveling north on I-95.