Houston Astros: J.T. Realmuto is the team’s perfect trade target
The Houston Astros have had some issues with their backstops this season. Hence, if they acquired J.T. Realmuto, they wouldn’t have to worry about anything.
The Houston Astros needed an upgrade behind the plate before Brian McCann suffered a serious knee injury. Houston contemplated about the position in the offseason, but it didn’t make a move.
But even before McCann’s surgery decision, Astros fans knew a trade seemed imminent. Now the front office has the motivation to pursue J.T. Realmuto with such alacrity.
Houston’s trading rumors have primarily considered relievers. Yet, the Marlins backstop was ultimately the first name mentioned this offseason.
And there are several reasons why.
Though the Astros rank well behind the plate compared to other teams, it’s arguably their weakest position. Moreover, there is hardly any depth within the organization.
Considering that Houston has one of the best farm systems around, it’s quite an observation. Yet general manager Jeff Luhnow hasn’t felt the urgency to improve the position so far.
Even with McCann out for likely six weeks, the team can scrape by with reinforcements from Triple-A. The loss doesn’t necessarily shift the Astros’ position as competitors.
However, it was evident Houston possessed the best overall team in the American League last season. Though Cleveland ultimately boasted a better record, newspapers and websites were attached to the Astros, moved by their story after Hurricane Harvey.
With McCann out at least 4-6 weeks (knee), via @Ken_Rosenthal Astros may need to shore up catching situation. Realmuto is top guy obvs but Ramos, lucroy, others could possibly be had.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 3, 2018
But this year, the Yankees, Red Sox and Mariners all garner attention as contenders. Thus, Luhnow might be looking to enhance his team to give it the edge in a five- or seven-game series.
And while the bullpen could use an addition, Realmuto offers the best, most productive option on current trade market. Yet it’s unclear whether Miami will negotiate.
The blockbuster move would separate the Astros from the other pennant contenders. More importantly, the move would be influential not just for this season, but for the following years as well.
What about the current catching situation?
Max Stassi’s rise behind the plate caught nearly everyone by surprise. In fact, fans across baseball might recognize him as the best backup catcher in the league.
However, few fans and analysts believe he can be a productive starter for the next few seasons.
Hence, while the Astros have Stassi and a promising prospect in Garrett Stubbs, Realmuto would rank above them by a considerable amount. He’s already arguably the best, most versatile catcher in the game.
Nevertheless, Houston’s current situation isn’t discouraging. Even without Brian McCann, the Astros can remain atop the American League West.
Stassi has helped the club stay near the top 10 in offensive categories with a .264/.347/.486 slash. Even Tim Federowicz has contributed across the previous few games, though his role is clearly a temporary one.
McCann has one more year left on his current contract, which might be a positive for the squad. The veteran has endured multiple injuries this season and boasts a pithy .206 average and .606 OPS.
Thus, Houston will likely look toward the free-agent market or other teams to obtain help behind the plate. Wilson Ramos and Yasmani Grandal will be the two biggest names in the offseason.
However, Ramos will probably sign an extension with Tampa Bay. Grandal’s situation is murky, as his future with Los Angeles is indeterminate.
Other options are available this offseason, such as Matt Wieters and Tyler Flowers. But the Houston Astros need a consistent starter to complement Stassi.
Realmuto is the best alternative option.
Realmuto, who?
The Miami catcher was nearly unnoticeable when Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna surveyed the outfield and studded headlines.
But now Realmuto is arguably the only relevant player left in the franchise. At least, that’s what the media makes it seem like.
The 27-year-old is guaranteed a spot on this year’s All-Star club. And he deserves it, leading the MLB in OPS and average among catchers. He also ranks in the top 15 in WAR in the National League.
Yet his success spans across recent seasons, not just 2018. His original breakout year was in 2016. Since then, he’s fashioned better numbers each year.
However, this year, as the Marlins’ leader, he’s been on another level.
Much of the damage he does is against right-handed pitchers. He owns a .992 OPS when righties are on the bump, thanks to 10 homers and 16 doubles.
In just 64 games played this year, Realmuto already has more than half as many home runs, RBIs and hits as his next-best season. He should finish the year with his best career numbers yet, if he continues to act as a primary catcher.
Nevertheless, it seems that Realmuto is focusing more on certain aspects of his game and leaving some behind. What made the Marlins player so different from other catchers was his running ability. Yet he has just one stolen base this year.
Houston is just one team that would surely accept the increased power over speed. The Astros don’t rank in the top 10 in steals, but they rank amongst the best in power categories, including overall OPS.
With the league’s best offense, Houston has another opportunity to make it even more formidable.
The price is too large to pay?
Manny Machado will fetch a hefty return if he gets dealt this season. If Nolan Arenado is put on the market, he would require even more top-tier prospects.
But J.T. Realmuto joins the conversation as well, solely because of his current team. Miami is in the midst of a major rebuild. And the Marlins already dumped it’s monstrous contracts. Moreover, they shipped their biggest stars away as well, knowing they’d have to pay them major dough.
Realmuto remains as the team’s centerpiece, arguably the only player worth a collection of prospects in return. Hence, teams won’t pry the catcher away with ease.
Darn you, Derek Jeter.
Nevertheless, baseball experts agree that Houston might add a significant piece before the deadline. And while some analysts believe the Astros have a mid-tier farm system, they have several appealing players.
Astros previously would not trade Tucker or Whitley for Realmuto. https://t.co/qrXoLA5CeX
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) July 3, 2018
What is unique is the variety of minor-leaguers Houston has. Some of the Triple-A guys already have experience in the bigs, and they are crushing it in Triple-A. Yet, the Astros still have young guns like J.B. Bukauskas and Freudis Nova, who aren’t expected to see the majors anytime soon.
Thus, Miami has a wide assortment of options. The Marlins likely prefer a top-tier guy like Kyle Tucker and Forrest Whitley. But given that the Astros will likely have to pay decent money to the catcher to avoid arbitration, it might not be worth losing a top prospect.
And surely Luhnow is aware of that.
But the media is unsure what Miami is gunning to receive in any trade this summer. The Marlins already dubbed Kyle Baraclough and Drew Steckenrider as untouchable.
Maybe the contract extension talks with Realmuto mean the same. But Houston can change that.
Who will the Astros let go of?
Houston Astros fans on social media are divided over whether to keep Kyle Tucker or not. Considering that the outfielder was recently promoted gives them a chance to see his promise.
Nonetheless, Houston didn’t part ways with multiple top prospects in the Gerrit Cole trade. Although, the Astros provided the Tigers with three solid players for Justin Verlander.
It is unsure whether Miami’s front office can pull several top prospects away from Luhnow and his farm system. Clearly, a trade similar to Cole’s would be more ideal, using a “Quadruple-A” guy as the centerpiece, like A.J. Reed, Tyler White or even Tony Kemp.
However, Miami is equally bad in both pitching and hitting at the MLB level this year. Houston will likely offer a few outfielders, as the organization possesses several mid-tier level guys in that category.
If the Marlins desire players on the cusp of the majors, they might look at Myles Straw and Drew Ferguson, who are both prospering for Triple-A Fresno. However, Straw – and his speed – might be too valuable for the Astros.
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Moreover, Houston also has pitching prospects throughout the minors that they can deal. Once again, there are multiple sitting pretty in Triple-A ready to make an impact.
The more notable prospect in that class is Rogelio Armenteros, arguably the best pitcher for the Grizzlies at this point. He puts his team in position to win, as Fresno is 22-2 in Armenteros’ starts dating back to 2017.
Cy Sneed, though not a highly-touted prospect, has shown promise. He may remind Astros fans as a similar pitcher to Dallas Keuchel. The overlooked pitcher that currently has a 3.10 ERA with 92 strikeouts across 90 innings.
Lastly, Josh James has moved up among the ranks this year. Hitters sport a sub-.200 average against him in Triple-A, and he is also just 25.
For Miami, these players are experienced. And the Marlins might just be in search of younger potential.
Next: Should Houston worry about Gerrit Cole?
No matter who Houston throws on the table, surely Miami will counteroffer with a larger demand. Yet, Luhnow is a master negotiator, and he can find a reasonable price to pay without selling the farm’s most potent producers.
A deal seems on the horizon. Now Houston Astros fans wait to see who might be involved.