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Can Miami Marlins Actually “Win” A J.T. Realmuto Trade?

By Sean Millerick

Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto looks on during the spring training baseball workouts for pitchers and catchers on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. (David Santiago/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images)
Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto looks on during the spring training baseball workouts for pitchers and catchers on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. (David Santiago/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /
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Keeping J.T. Realmuto in the fold would irk the league, but thrill many Miami Marlins fans. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images)
Keeping J.T. Realmuto in the fold would irk the league, but thrill many Miami Marlins fans. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images) /

Scenario One: Extend Him

Keeping Realmuto is the most unlikely of all situations. It also would enrage almost every talking head with two cents to throw in across the MLB landscape. After all the offseason buzz, keeping him would be written up by many as a failure.

But for the bulk of Miami Marlins fans, it’s a win for sure.

The most unlikely part of this actually isn’t the idea of a long-term contract in general, but the overpay it would require. So far, the Realmuto camp hasn’t really said anything Giancarlo Stanton hadn’t been saying since the 2012 rebuild. Five years at $100 million would be the floor, with nearer to $120 million likely necessary to get him to stay. Treat him like he’s perceived, the best catcher in baseball.

Buster Posey will make $22 million this year, with Yadier Molina just behind at $20 million. If Jeter is willing to make Realmuto the game’s highest paid catcher, and the hands down face of an organization, then that’s hard to walk away from. And it sends a message to players in the organization and fans in the stands.

Of course, the Marlins also technically have two years to make that decision. Keeping him till the end of his deal , or at least for another year of the rebuild is an option too. Maybe he likes what he sees. Maybe Victor Victor Mesa destroys the minors and Lewis Brinson realizes his potential. The Marlins should be better in 2019, and nothing unreasonable has to happen for them to be much better in 2020.

The only trick with just keeping him is that the front office has to pretty much declare that’s the intention. At least say, again, he’s our guy and he’s not going anywhere. And if Realmuto holds out at that point…then for once the owner won’t be the bad guy in a Marlins story.

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