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Nationals Rumors: Carter Kieboom would headline Realmuto deal

By Tim Boyle

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 9: Fans stand for the national anthem prior to game two of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 9, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 9: Fans stand for the national anthem prior to game two of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 9, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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According to the latest Washington Nationals rumors, a package to acquire Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto is coming together. Headlining the rumored deal is 2016 first-round pick Carter Kieboom.

It seems inevitable that J.T. Realmuto will suit up for the Washington Nationals at some point. They are the greatest fit for him. Lately, he has been the most recurring name listed in any of the recent Washington Nationals rumors.

According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, a trade may be on the horizon. Per his report, 2016 first-round pick Carter Kieboom would headline the deal. Along with him, the Nationals top pitching prospect, Erick Fedde, would head to the Marlins. One can assume another name could also get added.

Frisaro beats the dead horse and reminds us that the Nationals are unwilling to trade Victor Robles or Juan Soto. Understandably so, both are tremendous prospects. Robles is in everyone’s top ten with Soto sneaking toward the teens. By season’s end, he could surface as one of the game’s best minor league position players.

From the Marlins’ perspective, acquiring Kieboom would help them out. They’ve already added one premier outfield prospect with the acquisition of Lewis Brinson. Now it’s time to start filling out the infield with some new young talent.

A Little About Carter Kieboom

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Aside from going 28th overall in the MLB draft back in 2016, you should know Carter Kieboom is a shortstop destined to shift somewhere else. His defense has been rather weak thus far in his professional career. However, his bat has been impressive.

Injuries limited Kieboom to only 61 games last year. In the 255 plate appearances, Kieboom slashed a terrific .297/.396/.493. The OBP is especially spectacular and something that should interest the Marlins more than anything else. While he can hit with some power, Kieboom does not seem destined to hit in the middle of the order although he could always develop into someone like Anthony Rendon.

Why the Marlins Shouldn’t Wait

The Miami Marlins shouldn’t wait long to make a deal with the Washington Nationals. I suspect the Los Angeles Dodgers would happily jump on an opportunity to acquire a top 100 prospect like Kieboom in exchange for Yasmani Grandal.

Next: Has the Koda Glover hype gone away?

The Nationals are in the driver’s seat when it comes to trade negotiations with the Marlins. If a package that includes Kieboom and Fedde is what the Nationals are offering, the Marlins need to look around the league and realize a better offer isn’t coming.

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