Miami Marlins keeping high price tag on J.T. Realmuto
By David Hill
J.T. Realmuto is one of the most highly sought after players on the trade market. Understandably, the Miami Marlins are maintaining a high price tag for his services.
As the Miami Marlins are in the midst of yet another rebuild, they find themselves with one of the most coveted players on the trade market. J.T. Realmuto, arguably the best catcher in the game, is available for the taking. However, the Marlins asking price is sky high, pushing other teams away.
Some teams still remain interested in Realmuto’s services. The Houston Astros, for instance, are still looking into a trade, but the Marlins demands have barely wavered. According to Jon Morosi, the Marlins are asking for Forrest Whitley or Kyle Tucker as the main piece in return for the All Star catcher.
Source: #Astros still interested in J.T. Realmuto, but #Marlins have yet to move off Forrest Whitley or Kyle Tucker as the centerpiece of a possible trade. Thus, there’s been no traction in trade discussions. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 29, 2018
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Considering how underwhelming the packages that the Marlins received for Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Dee Gordon, and Christian Yelich were, it is understandable that they would be aiming high with Realmuto. The Marlins are looking to build a sustainable contender, and landing a top prospect of the caliber of either Whitley or Tucker could go a long way to that goal.
The Marlins are also dealing from a position of strength. Realmuto still has two seasons of team control, meaning that the Marlins do not have to trade him this offseason. If a team is unwilling to meet their demands, then Miami can wait.
That trade market will still be there. A team may be looking to upgrade at catcher at the trade deadline, and be willing to meet the Marlins asking price then. Or, Miami can hope that a team caves, either this offseason or next, giving the Marlins the type of return they desire to send Realmuto elsewhere.
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The Miami Marlins are not backing down from their high asking price for J.T. Realmuto. Considering that time is still on their side, that refusal is understandable.