Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto is on the trading block, and the New York Yankees are interested.
Gary Sanchez is the New York Yankees’ catcher of the future, unless J.T. Realmuto is available at the right price.
The Marlins’ 27-year-old catcher is the latest South Beach star the team’s new ownership is trying to dump off. Last offseason it was Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich who got swapped out for younger, cheaper prospects.
Now Realmuto, who many experts consider the best catcher in baseball, is looking for a hefty contract extension. Just like that, he became available. But Miami CEO Derek Jeter and company want a ton back for their young stud.
Sanchez is no longer untouchable
Per Fancred’s Jon Heyman, the Bronx Bombers are one of the teams feeling out just how much that ton weighs. Heyman’s report says that a straight-up Sanchez for Realmuto swap won’t get it done for the Marlins.
The fact that the Yankees even inquired might surprise some fans. After all, Brian Cashman said in October that he was ignoring trade offers for Sanchez.
That was before the rumor mill started churning out Realmuto scenarios.
Realmuto was an All-Star in 2018, and he finished up the year with a slash line of .277/.340/.484. He also put up career highs of 21 HR and 74 RBI.
Realmuto could be an upgrade
Even though Realmuto is roughly two years older and has less power than Sanchez, there are a few reasons the Yankees would see him as an upgrade. Sanchez is a passed ball waiting to happen behind the plate, and in 2018 he got lost in the batter’s box as well, slashing just .186/.291/.406.
In theory, a trade for Realmuto solves those issues. The young backstop has never hit below .259 in his four full seasons, and he only allowed 8 passed balls in .951 innings this season.
Miami controls Realmuto’s contract through the end of the 2020 season, so they’re not exactly in a rush to deal him. If the Yankees are serious about making it happen, they’ll have to dip into their farm system for one or two top prospects.
Whatever happens, the message from the front office to Sanchez is clear: remind us why we call you Kraken, or you’re out of here.
