Marlins Trade Rumors: The Cincinnati Reds make pitch for J.T. Realmuto

The Cincinnati Reds appear to the latest team interested in making a deal for Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto.

According to multiple sources, including cincinnati.com, the Reds are now part of the sweepstakes to acquire catcher J.T. Realmuto from the Miami Marlins. The deal would include catcher Tucker Barnhart and minor-league outfielder and top prospect Taylor Trammell.

The Marlins front office has stood its ground since it was announced that Realmuto would not agree to a long-term deal with the ball club, asking for a contract controlled player as well as potential prospects.

As many as 14 teams have been rumored to be interested in Realmuto, who is under contract control by Miami for the next two seasons.

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The trade would get Realmuto out of the National League East, where the Atlanta Braves have been pursuing him and the New York Mets have gained some steam in possible trade talks, including a three-team deal involving the New York Yankees.

It seems almost any team in the Majors would entertain a deal for the first-time All-Star is the price was right and they did not have to mortgage the future for the 27-year-old backstop.

"Per Dave Clark of the Cincinnati Inquirer, “Ken Rosenthal of MLB on FOX and MLB Network, however, reported Wednesday night via Twitter that Barnhart is not being discussed by the teams, according to his sources, but likely would be moved if the Reds were to acquire Realmuto.”"

The Los Angeles Dodgers could also make a strong run at him, offering both every-day players and prospects. The Houston Astros were once believed to be a front-runner, but have fallen behind in recent weeks.

The Marlins and Reds worked a deal in January of 2017 that brought pitcher Dan Straily to South Florida in return for Luis Castillo, Austin Brice, and Isaiah White. Straily has been one of the Marlins most consistent pitchers and has been a veteran presence on a young pitching staff.

It was believed Miami would seek to trade him this off-season, but did tender him an offer through salary arbitration in recent weeks.

Realmuto, who hit 21 home runs and 74 RBI last season, had success against the Reds.

"Per Clark, “In 26 plate appearances against the Reds last season, Realmuto hit .318 with three doubles, six runs, an RBI, three walks and three strikeouts. He homered twice in one game off of Reds starter Robert Stephenson on July 22, 2017.”"

Trammell is currently regarded as the Reds No. 2 minor league prospect. The 21-year-old outfielder is still improving playing in Advanced A ball in Daytona Beach.

According to MLB.com, he was one of the players to watch this past season in the minors.

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"“Trammell has the tools to impact the game in a number of ways. The development of his bat and speed as he moves up the ladder will be one of the more exciting Reds prospect storylines to watch in 2018.”"

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