Washington Nationals Rumors: No reason to overpay for J.T. Realmuto

According to the latest Washington Nationals rumors, the defending NL East Champions are a favorite to land catcher J.T. Realmuto. Before they do, it’s important to analyze how much they are willing to pay.

The Miami Marlins are determined to shed as much payroll as possible. Just about everyone of value has been traded with catcher J.T. Realmuto as the last man standing. If the latest Washington Nationals rumors are correct, he could head to the nation’s capital.

The Nationals are a favorite to land Realmuto. It’s the most logical fit, but should the Nationals overpay for the young backstop?

Upgrading the catcher position is a major desire for the Nationals. Matt Wieters turned in a poor debut season in 2017, forcing them to look elsewhere. If they were to land Realmuto, the Nationals could move Wieters to a reserve role and lock up the catcher position for the next few seasons. Realmuto comes with youth and control, making him a great match for anyone looking at catchers available in trades.

Fortunately for the Nationals, not many teams need to pay for Realmuto. Jonathan Lucroy is still available in free agency and likely prepared to sign for less than he probably deserves.

As a trade candidate reaching his prime, Realmuto is pricier. The Marlins aren’t going to trade him for less than he’s worth. This is especially true when it comes to a deal within the division.

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The Nationals have a few untouchable prospects in their system. Victor Robles and Juan Soto are the two best prospects they have. According to many, Carter Kieboom is third in line. All three of them could play a significant role for the Nationals in the near future. Likely, if the Marlins are prepared to trade Realmuto to the Nationals, they would ask for at least one of them.

Washington needs to look at things from a bigger picture. Having Realmuto would seem nice. But are they better off with someone else?

Veteran free agent Alex Avila is coming off a good season and someone the Nationals should consider. As previously mentioned, Lucroy remains unemployed. If available at a bargain, the Nationals could look at him, too.

Next: Why “tanking” is a good thing for the Marlins

J.T. Realmuto may have the highest ceiling of any catchers available this winter. This doesn’t mean he is the best choice for the Washington Nationals right now. Until the asking price drops, the Nationals must refrain from selling too much.