Miami Marlins Trade Rumors: The numbers are dwindling

Per several reports over the last month, there have been many teams that have called the Miami Marlins regarding catcher J.T. Realmuto. In reality, there are only a handful of teams still in the running to acquire the team’s best player.

The Miami Marlins continue to field inquiries about catcher J.T. Realmuto as the Baseball Winter Meetings come to an end. While it is believed as many as 14 franchises have shown real interest, there is only a handful that has the necessary chess pieces to make a deal happen.

While nothing truly materialized in Las Vegas over the last week, what did happen was the sea parted about, with the organizations that wanted to kick the tires moving out the way for those that are truly involved in trade talks.

"“He’s a special talent,” Michael Hill, president of baseball operations, said Wednesday evening. “It’s a premium position and so there should be interest, so I’m not surprised. But in terms of the sheer volume, we’ve had to work through — that has been unique.”"

Realmuto has generated such news since he announced through his agent that he would not be part of the team’s long-term plans that it compares to other high-priced free agents on the market. By not doing anything other than issuing a statement on his future, the 27-year-old has reached rockstar status on a Major League level.

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Now, the Marlins still must sift through the forest of offers and make a deal suitable for them moving forward. While he has said this is for “entertainment purposes” Craig Mish of Sirus XM believes the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds are the front-runners to land the prized catcher.

The news of Realmuto monopolized the talk at the Winter Meetings, but the Marlins also took time to examine needs at first base, depth off the bench and potential veteran relief help.

When Realmuto is traded (it is not an “if” proposition anymore) it will mean the “core” of players that made up the 2016 and 2017 roster will have been traded away in a matter of a little over one year’s time.

"“The Reds and Mets have emerged as two of the more serious suitors, per multiple reports,” writes Wells Dusenbury of sun-sentinel.com. Talks with Cincinnati have reportedly centered around 21-year-old outfielder Taylor Trammell, the 17th-ranked prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline.”"

The Braves, although having signed Brian McCann, is still very much in the running for Realmuto’s services. The Mets have made strides to jump into the middle of trade talks, even talking about a three-team deal with the New York Yankees.

If the move is made to send Realmuto to Citi Field, it means the Marlins will face their former star within the same division next season.

The Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers, two teams thought to be in the mix to make a deal, have fallen off the radar, but could still be interested in making a trade offer.