Should the New York Mets actually trade Amed Rosario for J.T. Realmuto, the borough of Queens will need the National Guard.
Jared Kelenic is one thing. Justin Dunn is another. Amed Rosario would fall under an entirely different and unique category.
Trading away the key cornerstone farm asset of an entire franchise would bring mind-blowing reactions fit to suit our current American political stratosphere. Unfortunately (perhaps) for New York Mets fandom, the idea is closer to reality than anybody would have ever guessed a mere week ago.
As reported earlier in the week by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Metropolitans remain “aggressive” in their pursuit of Miami Marlins All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto.
#Marlins want at least one controllable major-league asset as centerpiece for Realmuto. #Mets have Conforto/Nimmo/Rosario, but would need to replace whoever they traded in FA market or other deals. Teams engaged. NYM aggressive. https://t.co/j1fpxsCNEl
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 4, 2018
Jon Heyman of Fancred promptly backed that report up with the Marlins’ interests. Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo and the aforementioned Rosario all remain options. As of right now, it appears as though Rosario is the piece Derek Jeter’s organization craves. It’s also reported that New York is hesitant on Rosario.
marlins like rosario, nimmo and/or conforto in Realmuto talks. talks are real, but mets seem resistant on rosario
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 5, 2018
If any three of those Mets young pieces find his way traded to the NL East division rival, the fanbase will lose its mind. Should it be young Rosario, forget about it. The National Guard would have to make an unannounced powerful appearance in Queens.
Rosario, 23, hasn’t even hit the bottom rung of his massive potential. In 154 games this past season, the impressively-standing shortstop smashed nine home runs to go along with 51 runs batted in and 24 stolen bases. He also slashed .256/.295/.381.
The first half of the season was disastrous. Rosario couldn’t find his footing on the big-league level during his first full season. The kid delivered five homers and 28 runs produced while hitting .268 in the second half (just 64 games). The first major glimpse into his star shortstop stardom had popped off yet Brodie Van Wagenen and his suits are willing to toss his name into discussions.
Again, National Guard time. Just take a look at the reactions via a rumor-based period:
Should the Mets try to trade Amed Rosario for J.T. Realmuto? https://t.co/sPYvEEnwUz
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 19, 2018
I've seen it suggested separately today the Mets should trade Amed Rosario and Michael Conforto for J.T. Realmuto. Meanwhile the Marlins practically gave away Stanton, Yelich, Ozuna and Gordon.
— Mark (@TooGooden16) April 19, 2018
I'm hearing Marlins want Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo and Amed Rosario for J.T. Realmuto. Don't do it Brodie. Nimmo, Conforto and Rosario have potential to be big stars in the future.
— Joshua Cercado (@bigheadjosh92) December 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/thatmetschick/status/1070401404316069888
The incredibly interesting aspect to the topic is that a Rosario for Realmuto deal might just be the right move to make.
Realmuto, 27, is a stud. While, admittedly, he paid his dues at The Show level, 2018 is when it all came together.
The available catcher is, arguably, the best all-around backstop in the game today. In addition to hitting 21 home runs, he drove in 74 runs while showcasing speed on the basepaths and one of the best defensive skillsets at the position.
J.T. Realmuto's pop time to catch Amed Rosario stealing 2nd?
1.76 seconds.
That's the fastest pop time on a caught stealing at 2nd base since Statcast started tracking in 2015. #Marlins
— David Adler (@_dadler) May 24, 2018
In 2017, Realmuto collected 17 home runs while hitting .278. In 2016, he rounded the bases freely just 11 times while hitting .303. In 2015, the first season in which he manned down the starting gig, he hit .259 with just 10 homers.
J.T. Realmuto—who’ll turn 28 in March—is not an offensive stud. He’ll also never flourish into anything above his current numbers. On the other hand, he’ll instantly improve the team’s defense by epic levels while also bolstering the entire pitching staff.
These are the hidden baseball attributes fans sometimes overlook. But is it good enough to trade away a 23-year-old possible stud (Rosario) in every fashion?
This is why, should the deal go down with Rosario involved, emotions will be running wild. Forget emotions, bad words will be spread like wildfire. Part of it comes down to know fully understanding Realmuto’s true value. Another slice of it can be attributed to how Rosario played down the stretch last summer.
Whatever the reason and tilt of the result, if the New York Mets actually acquire J.T. Realmuto in exchange for young Amed Rosario, call the troops. They’ll be necessary for a good 48 hours.