Miami Marlins Trade Rumors: Six teams still in the hunt

Per MLB.com and multiple sources, six teams still remain in the hunt to acquire Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto.

More than a dozen teams have inquired about Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto. Now, per multiple sources, there are six teams that remain contenders to acquire the All-Star catcher. One of the teams thought to be in discussion with Miami’s front office, the Milwaukee Brewers, are no longer a contender.

"“Now that free agent Yasmani Grandal has reportedly reached an agreement with the Brewers on a one-year, $18.25 million deal, Realmuto is the top catcher on the market,” Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports. “Grandal’s departure creates a vacancy behind the plate for the Dodgers, who have been in on-and-off discussions for Realmuto for months.”"

Grandal played for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. The NL West team is still believed to be in pursuit of Realmuto’s services and have the combination of Major League talent/top prospects to be able to swing a deal. The hold up in a deal with the Dodgers front office may be Miami’s desire to have outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger as part of the package.

The Dodgers do not want to part with their young star, as it has been reported.

Los Angeles, along with Atlanta, Houston, Cincinnati, Tampa Bay and San Diego are all believed to be the lucky six left standing as Realmuto has been seeking a trade from the Marlins since he and his agent announced the 27-year-old had no desire of signing a long-term deal with Miami.

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The Braves were silent for a while after making it known from the start they were interested in adding Realmuto to their young roster with talented pitchers. Realmuto was an important part of the development of the young pitching staff in Miami, something the Marlins counted on as arms learned to handle the Major League hitters. Realmuto, like other stars who were traded last offseason – most notably Giancarlo Stanton – does not want to be part of a continued rebuilding project.

Atlanta can offer Miami Major League talent in the way of pitchers Mike Soroka and Sean Newcomb and potentially Ian Anderson, a top pitching prospect and third baseman Austin Riley, the team’s top position player in their minor league system. A combination of those players may be enough to get a deal done.

Nothing has been reported yet as to what Atlanta would offer Miami. What is known is the Marlins wanted a deal with the team sending Realmuto to their NL East rival for young star Ozzie Albies, but the Braves front office nixed that idea.

The Marlins at the moment expect Realmuto to be present when the team opens Spring Training in Jupiter, Florida in a month. Less than a week ago, manager Don Mattingly spoke about his excitement of having his catcher in camp, and how vital he was to the future success of the ball club.

"“For me, I’m ecstatic right now, because I feel like we’re walking into camp with J.T. again,” Mattingly said during his phone interview on MLB Network’s Hot Stove show. “He gives us a better chance to win and grow as an organization.”"

The Marlins still appear to be in no rush to get a deal done. They are in command of Realmuto’s contract over this coming season and in 2020 before he can test free agency. While the team remains steadfast in their requirements to make a deal, teams that were heavily interested in weeks past have bowed out because of the price potentially being too high.