Call to the pen
Fansided

Taking Inventory: Miami Marlins Trade Rumors

By Marc Delucchi

MIAMI, FL - JUNE 30: J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins runs after hitting a 2-RBI double in the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Marlins Park on June 30, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JUNE 30: J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins runs after hitting a 2-RBI double in the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Marlins Park on June 30, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Miami Marlins
Miami Marlins /

The Centerpiece: J.T. Realmuto

Once Stanton, Gordon, Yellich, and Ozuna were traded, the countdown began on Realmuto’s days in Miami. Realmuto still has two and a half season of team control, but that time goes by fast (as the Orioles learned with Manny Machado).

Kevin Kraczowski over at Marlin Maniac wrote about the “trade conundrum” Realmuto creates for the Marlins. Every day Realmuto remains a Marlin decreases his trade value. However, he’s also the only game-changing player on Miami’s roster.

Marlins’ fans resistance to moving Realmuto is understandable. He’s the only big-time contributor left on the roster. But, this team needs far too much to compete before Realmuto is a free-agent. Marlins’ ownership has made clear that they will not be willing to spend the money necessary to keep a player of Realmuto’s caliber in Miami.

The Marlins will not be competitive over the next few seasons with or without Realmuto. Ownership made that a certainty when they handled the offseason the way that they did. Furthermore, Realmuto is a catcher. Catching takes a toll on every player’s body and the longer the Marlins hold onto Realmuto the greater a chance of injury could dampen his value.

The next question becomes what that value is. The Washington Nationals have long been tied to Realmuto dating back to last offseason. However, the Nationals rumors cooled off once it became clear they would not surrender either of their top prospects Carter Kieboom or Victor Robles.

The Nationals signed Matt Wieters to give them a solid backstop work. He hasn’t come through. The Nationals catchers have produced the worst WAR in baseball according to FanGraphs and the eye-test backs that up.

The Red Sox only rank one spot higher on FanGraphs leaderboard. Their catching situation was even more exasperated by Christian Vazquez‘s recent finger injury. However, the Sox lack the quality prospects to give the Marlins a fair package.

The Yankees and Dodgers have both the win-now mentality and needed prospects, but lack the need at catcher to make it worth their while. The Astros offer an intriguing match, but Max Stassi has proven good enough to justify standing pat.

So we return to the Nationals. They have the prospects to get the deal done and have massively under-performed in Bryce Harper‘s last year before free agency. The Nationals need to make a big splash to catch up and compete with the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies. Realmuto would be that move.

If the Nationals are the team, Kieboom or Robles will still have to be in the deal. Robles was, in many ways, supposed to be the heir apparent to Harper in case he left in free agency. However, now that Juan Soto has emerged, Robles is more expendable.

If the Miami Marlins move Realmuto, expect him to head to the Nationals for a package of three to four prospects. Robles will be the centerpiece, but the Marlins should get another one of the Nats top 10 prospects and another in the top 15 or 20. It will be hard for Marlins fans to stomach, but this is the quickest path to relevance in Miami.

Next: Plethora of Bullpen arms

Home/Miami Marlins