MiamI Marlins Trade Rumors: Is the team asking too much?

Now that several MLB teams have fallen out of the running for catcher J.T. Realmuto, are the Miami Marlins asking too much in return for their best player?

The Miami Marlins are making it no secret that if a team truly wants catcher J.T. Realmuto, it had better be willing to cough up a king’s ransom for the 27-year-old All-Star. The fact remains the front office has not budged, letting teams come to the organization to make their best pitch.

So far, even after last week’s Baseball Winter Meetings, nothing has materialized as an imminent deal, making me and others think this could drag out into next year and toward Spring Training. While many have stated it’s a matter of “when” and not “if” Realmuto is traded, I am not sure if the Marlins are going to get a deal done.

For the franchise, it would mean their backstop, who is still under contract control 2019 and 2020, would suit up in new Marlins unis for the upcoming season.

More from Marlins News

• Miami Marlins news: Another target gone
• Why didn’t the Miami Marlins sign JDM?
• Miami Marlins rejected Boston‘s trade offer
• Miami Marlins are pursuing Michael Conforto
• Miami Marlins need to spend to win

As Joe Frisaro and other baseball insiders have stated, this now is a critical stage in potential negotiations.

"“The Braves, according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, are no longer in serious contention. But that could be subject to change, if Miami’s asking price changes. The Astros are another possibility to be on the fence,” he writes.“The Reds, Padres, and Brewers are also possibilities, and there is speculation that the Angels might also have interest.”"

Throw the New York Yankees back into the party as they could still seek Realmuto in a trade.

The Washington Nationals signed Kurt Suzuki. Atlanta brought in Brian McCann, but it is still believed they are the frontrunner to get a deal done. The New York Mets, a team that jumped into the mix at the Winter Meetings, signed Wilson Ramos, ending their pursuit.

The Tampa Bay Rays may be the last team standing in these negotiations. It is believed they could offer left-handed-hitting outfielder Jesus Sanchez, 21, who is ranked No. 33 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list. Tampa Bay’s deep minor league system is an attractive commodity in making a deal.

The Los Angeles Dodgers also have a deep farm system, but the Marlins have made it clear they want contract controllable players as part of this deal. The Dodgers have outfield prospect Alex Verdugo, who is No. 32 in the Top 100 rankings but Miami may want a solid MLB player as well.

Cincinnati would have to include Taylor Trammell in a deal. The Braves have plenty of pitchers to offer. The Yankees would have to part with Miguel Andujar in return for Realmuto.