Miami Marlins: Who Will Trade For J.T. Realmuto?

Could J.T. Realmuto Head to Hollywood?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are an interesting possibility for J.T. Realmuto. Months ago, I would have guaranteed that the Dodgers would lose their catcher, Yasmani Grandal, to free agency. He seemed primed to sign a big free agent contract, but after struggling in the Playoffs, I wouldn’t be surprised if Grandal signs a one year “show me” deal to return to Los Angeles. Either way, the club needs to find an everyday catcher for 2019, as they do not have an in-house option who is ready to step into the role.

Could this be a good move for Los Angeles? Of course, Realmuto is a superstar. I feel that they could be a big player for the Marlins’ star as they are still seeking the piece to put their club over the top, especially after back to back World Series defeats. The only question is, do they have the prospects to make the deal happen?

Could the New York Yankees Swap Gary Sanchez for J.T. Realmuto?

Joel Sherman of the New York Post made headlines this week as he proposed the possibility of a Gary Sanchez for J.T. Realmuto swap with the New York Yankees. Sherman writes…

"Realmuto is 27 and the game’s best overall catcher at a time when there is a dearth of quality at that position. That could make him more desirable to teams than even big free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. Will the Marlins trade him with two years until free agency? Yankees GM Brian Cashman already has said Gary Sanchez is the Yankees’ catcher next year. But if it matters, he has four years to free agency and when Miami’s influential vice president of player development and scouting Gary Denbo was running the Yankee farm system he was said to be a fan of Sanchez. Does that create the firmament for a potential deal?"

This is a very intriguing possibility as Sanchez struggled behind the plate and with the bat in 2018. Like always, the Yankees are in win-now mode and J.T. Realmuto would help the club’s chances to win. In New York, we will likely see an increase in his offensive numbers, the Yankee Stadium effect, and the club would not have to wait for Sanchez to continue his development.

Gary Sanchez has shown that he can be a star, but the league seemed to figure him out in 2018. The Yankees have other bats that crush home runs, drive in RBIs, and strike out a lot. Realmuto would add balance to a lineup that already includes Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Miguel Andujar.

While this trade is the most far-fetched, it definitely is the most intriguing. Brian Cashman could probably acquire Realmuto for just Gary Sanchez.

The Marlins are not trying to win now and Sanchez has four years left until he reaches free agency. Realmuto only has two. Sanchez also has proven that he has the ability to be an MVP candidate. Even though this trade would be unorthodox, it could benefit both teams. Yankees’ fans, how does this trade sound? Let me know in the comments below.