Marlins Trade Rumors: The Reds try to move ahead of the pack

Can the Cincinnati Reds put together a package deal for the J.T. Realmuto that will entice the Miami Marlins to ship the catcher to Ohio?

The news of a trade involving Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto is moving faster than it has in recent weeks. Now, with the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers making another pitch at Miami’s front office, the Cincinnati Reds are doing their best to get out in front of the pack of teams still in talks to acquire the All-Star.

Per Joe Frisaro and other MLB insiders, the Reds are in talks with the Marlins in a deal that could involve Jonathan India, Cincinnati’s No. 1 pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.

The third baseman played at the University of Florida and is regarded as one of the organization’s top prospects.

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Will the former college star and other pieces to the deal be enough to sway Miami to make what would be considered a surprise move in this ongoing soap opera this offseason?

The Dodgers and Padres were in discussion with the team this past weekend, discussing a deal that would include top prospects and MLB players. No trade was struck, but the push by both National League West teams could mean a deal will get done before the Marlins start Spring Training with pitchers and catchers reporting to Jupiter, Florida on Feb. 13.

The Marlins will have their entire squad in camp on Feb. 18.

Wick Terrell of redreporter.com also wrote about the news of the Reds getting more involved in trade discussions. He also pointed out the deal for Realmuto may handcuff Cincinnati, much like the Marlins, who have needs in other areas of the organization.

"“Again, it’s clear that Realmuto is an upgrade over pretty much any catching scenario in the majors – his 8.6 fWAR over the last two seasons is far and away the best among catchers in all of baseball,” Terrell writes.“Still, with the Reds needing upgrades in other places (read: in the rotation, potentially, and perhaps in CF), it’s odd to see them chasing a catcher, especially considering top prospect Taylor Trammell has been the rumored ask from the fish throughout this process.”"

Trammell and India would be key additions to the Marlins farm system, one that is more stable than it was this time last season.

"“Factor in the team-friendly deal inked by Tucker Barnhart just two seasons ago, and the fact that the Reds other catching option, Curt Casali, has a lengthy history with new pitching coach Derek Johnson and the recently extended Sonny Gray from their days at Vanderbilt University, and it would seem adding Realmuto would be creating quite the roster logjam,” he added."

The Marlins want both MLB players and minor league prospects in the deal and have stood firm on their demands the entire offseason. The Dodgers and Padres have the pieces to invest because each has a deep minor league system.

The same can be said for the Braves, who have pitching prospects and outfielders Miami wants to be included in a trade deal. The Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays were once part of the final six teams in the running to get Realmuto. It now appears there are four teams left for the Marlins to work with.