Count the reigning World Series champion Astros among the most serious suitors for Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto. Houston and Miami have discussed the backstop, according to SiriusXM’s Craig Mish, who adds that the Marlins have requested high-end outfield prospect Kyle Tucker in return. The Astros haven’t ruled out dealing Tucker, Mish reports (Twitter link).
Realmuto would be the second major trade acquisition of the winter for the Astros, who previously dipped into their pool of young talent to pick up right-hander Gerrit Cole from the Pirates. Despite that move, the Astros’ farm system remains in the majors’ top 10, according to Baseball America, which regards the 21-year-old Tucker as their second-best prospect and the majors’ 15th-ranked farmhand. MLB.com (No. 8) FanGraphs (No. 10), Baseball Prospectus (No. 20) and ESPN’s Keith Law (No. 21) also think highly of the lefty-swinging Tucker, who ascended to the Double-A level in 2017 and slashed .265/.325/.512 across 318 plate appearances.
Should the Marlins land Tucker, he’d become arguably the premier prospect in a system that has climbed from dead last to 19th in Baseball America’s rankings since the beginning of the offseason. Of course, the Marlins’ improved farm is the result of an aggressive major league teardown that has come during a payroll-slashing campaign by new owners Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter. The Marlins have already dealt star outfielders Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna, not to mention second baseman Dee Gordon, leaving Realmuto as the face of a team that seems unlikely to contend in the near future.
The 26-year-old Realmuto, sensing Miami is more likely to compete for the No. 1 pick than a playoff berth in 2018, has made it known he’d like to follow Stanton, Yelich, Ozuna and Gordon out the door. Given that he wants to play for a contender, going to Houston would surely satisfy Realmuto, and it would give the club a potential long-term solution behind the plate. While the Astros got solid production from catchers Brian McCann and Evan Gattis in 2017, the two 30-somethings could become free agents next winter. Moreover, Gattis will primarily occupy the DH spot this year, leaving the unproven, out-of-options Max Stassi as the Astros’ projected No. 2 catcher.
Unlike Stassi, Realmuto has done plenty to establish himself in the majors. He truly broke out in 2016 and has since accounted for 7.2 fWAR, trailing only the Giants’ Buster Posey and the Yankees’ Gary Sanchez in that category among catchers. Most of Realmuto’s value has come from his bat, as the righty-swinger combined for a quality .290/.337/.440 line across 1,124 plate appearances from 2016-17.
While there have been questions about Realmuto’s defense (his reviews as a pitch framer have been mixed), both his bat and long-term affordability combine to make him extremely valuable, which has led to offseason interest from contenders such as the Astros and Nationals. Realmuto is set to play his first of three potential arbitration-eligible seasons in 2018, during which he’ll make a relatively modest $2.9MM.
Thanks to the pirates they can
Exactly
Oh please no
Since the Marlins have traded all of their starting outfielders, I don’t know why they don’t resign Ichiro. I think the fans would like to see more of him, and he wouldn’t be that much more than a rookie outfielder would cost. Think he played for about $2 million last season. Marlins have room for him.
Jeter is above moves like that
They would rather spend money on someone like Jon Jay or Jarrod Dyson who are. Ore likely to have a better first half, and more likely to get a better return in the event that they flip them during the trade deadline. That’s why
You are forgetting that Miami fans actually got to watch Ichiro.. I wish I could forget having watched what he’s become … really bad.
Counter-move to Darvish?
It really is heating up 🙂
Nope, the counter move to Darvish is the Brewers trading for Archer 🙂
Exactly, they have been after pitching. The guy they offered a deal to is gone. They counter with someone else.
Still overblown, though.
They didn’t make a sudden shift in philosophy.
If Yu had said no way he was going thete, they went and hot someone else, people would say whoever got Darvish was a countet..
The only way the brewers make a move for archer is at the deadline. Unless they get a kings ransom they won’t get Archer. If they cubs gave up 5 players for garza which was headlined by Chris Archer. Garza was never an ace or more than a #3 pitcher. Shame too the cubs rotation would be even better now with archer
Lester
Archer
Hendricks
Q
5th starter (not sure if it would be Chatwood.
Different league, so don’t really think it’s a counter-move.
The stories were posted minutes, from each other.
Either way, love the action.
“It takes 2 to tango” unless Dodgers, then threesome.
There has been talk of them being a spit for him for a while, so no.
The Astros are in AL, so no.
Teams do not make rash counter moves for young players.
That stuff happens at the deadline for vets.
No its not a counter move to Darvish. Not even a thought.
I’ve been feeling this since the beginning.
Obviously, the fish want Tucker but Im not sure how attainable it is based on the fact that the Stros dont NEED a new catcher right now.
I’ve been thinking Bukauskas, Armentaros, Alcala and Gattis. Move McCann to DH.
Gattis is like a Starlin Castro flip.
What position does Gattis play in the NL? I also think the value in McCann is as a catcher. As a hitter he’s above average, for a catcher.
I don’t know why people think gattis is such a horrible defender. He isn’t great but he’s far from the worst catcher out there according to WAR. Maybe it’s just a perception because he’s a big guy?
I don’t really see the appeal here for the Astros. Rn they have a decent catching/DH tandem in McCann and Gattis; getting Realmuto would likely cost a top prospect+ and create a logjam.
McCann and Gattis are both free agents in one year’s time and it doesn’t sound like the Astros are very interested in re-signing either one. Although if they do trade for Realmuto then one or both of Gattis and McCann would likely be traded elsewhere.
TheWestCoastRyan I thought I heard something about Brian McCann retiring after his contract is up after this upcoming offseason. It’s the same thing with Charlie Morton.
Possible. And it sounds like the Astros might want to have the catcher position covered beyond the upcoming season. They could always just roll with what they got in 2018 and trade for Realmuto afterwards, but there is no guarantee that someone else won’t have traded for him already.
There is an option on McCann not saying Astros would do it, but they have the option to
They don’t even need to trade anyone, just use rotate all 3 between C and DH.
Windows are always limited, and he improves their team.
I hope an offer from Houston prompts the Gnats to pull the trigger and deal Kieboom, Daniel Johnson, and bad boys Romero and Read to the Fish.
What the hell is Rizzo thinking. He needs to get this deal done for the Nats. They almost certainly will lose Harper. I’d be ALL IN for 2018 if I was Rizzo.
“They almost certainly will lose Harper.”
You know this how?
“I’d be ALL IN for 2018 if I was Rizzo.”
First of all it’s “if I were Rizzo.” Secondly, we don’t really know what you’d do if you were Rizzo because if you were Rizzo you’d have a whole bunch more knowledge and relevant experience than you actually have. In short, you’d be a completely different person, a worthy participant rather than just an observer.
Is majorflaw your name or personality?
Been using this handle for about twenty years now and you are the first person to realize that it could be made into a joke. No, really, you are the first.
The Nats already said they would not include Robles and the Marlins said no trade without Robles. The Marlins have been consistent in saying they want an elite, MLB ready OF in any trades. None of the guys you mentioned fit those criteria.
Not sure why they’d still be insisting on an MLB level outfielder after getting Sierra and Brinson. What they need the most now is pitching
How many MLB OF did the Marlins trade away? All 3.
How many pitchers did they get in the 5 trades they have made so far? 7 including 2 that will be in the rotation this season.
Only if Tucker and Whitley aren’t involved.
Then you won’t get Realmuto
that’s what we said about Cole. maybe the marlins want 4 fringe major leaguers too
Completely different situation. Cole is coming off a down season, has honestly been more stuff than results in his career except for 2015 and only has two more years of control left. Don’t compare the two.
And they’ll be fine with that, it’s not like they need him
That’s what people said about the Cardinals getting Ozuna. If they didn’t include Reyes they weren’t getting him. I’m glad the fans don’t have final say.
In this case, it’s not ju0st fans saying it, it is the GM of the Marlins saying they are only interested in elite MLB ready OF prospects.
This makes way too much sense for the Astros in my opinion… Kyle Tucker, Hector Perez and Garrett Stubbs for Realmuto.
Not close to enough.
Maybe if they threw in Richard Hidalgo
Not Stubb’s. He would be the backup in 2019.
The dealbreaker for not acquiring a Top 5 catcher in baseball is because they’re including a potential backup catcher in the future?
Too much!!!
D-fish, McHugh and mid level prospect(s).
That’s overpaying.
Have to give to get.
that’s exactly what I was thinking. Fisher/ McHugh and a prospect.
Don’t get him without Tucker or Whitley
Then they dont get him and he stays miserable with the Marlins.
Tucker isn’t going unless Miami adds something like a comp pick.
Except the report clearly states Tucker is on the table. But please continue to wallow in your own ignorance, and ego.
It actually doesn’t say that at all…
It says the Astros “haven’t ruled out dealing Tucker.”
Which means he is on the table. If he was not on the table they would have ruled out dealing him for Realmuto.
J.T. Realmuto isn’t worth a top 10 prospect let alone Kyle Tucker.
Neither was two months of Aroldis Chapman.
And Chapman didnt get a top 10 prospect. Torres was mid 20s at the time.
The Cubs don’t won the WS without Chapman in 2016. Plus, Torres was blocked by Russell and/or Baez and Happ. No brainer on that trade. If the Cubs would have come up short, maybe then I’d second guess it.
Astros aren’t chasing a World Series. No reason to give up Tucker.
yes they are, every team is. it’s not like Realmuto only has 1 year left, he has 3. If I were a Stros fan I would gladly give up a prospect who hasn’t proven anything in the boys for a player that has especially at that position. Their window will not last forever, might as well give them the best shot they can for the next few years. It’s not like the Astros are hurting for outfielders anyways.
Yeah you’re right, they’re in clear rebuild mode now.
cardinals aren’t chasing a world series, not with mo and his house boy girsch.
You’re probably right. The Cubs most likely don’t win the WS without Chapman. Maddon would’ve actually had to make some decisions instead of just riding Aroldis to the ground.
Someone kind of missed the point of the “Never Settle” motto.
No, they aren’t. Already have a World Series title and are in prime condition to repeat without trading for a catcher. Goal is to compete long term. Giving up 6 years of Tucker for 3 years of Realmuto isn’t good business. sorry.
Bingo @ldfanatic
Torres was 17 at the time of the trade according to MLB. 14 in BA mid-season rankings.
The result was being overused and getting a world series win. Chapman holds no bad feelings. He not only got what every player wants a ring he got the win in game 7. Then cashed out and returned to the team he never wanted to leave in the first place.
I’d say Chapman for Torres was a pretty good trade off to win a world series. Yankees can have Torres I wish him all the luck in the world. Hard to be Derek Jeters eventual replacement. They’ll move Didi to 2nd. And Torres who is a 5 tool player or will be on within 3 years of his debut will. play short.
Zobrist for Castro was well worth it too. Castro has reached his peak. That’s for another discussion and day.
Zobrist was a free agent signing….
Also, we don’t know that the Cubs wouldn’t have won without Chapman. I do know that if they hadn’t come back in Game 7 Chapman would have been blamed for the loss.
Zobrist for Castro was definitely an impressive trade. Theo might be the only executive in baseball to get a team to trade him players they don’t even have.
The trade of Castro was basically for cash since they sent Adam Warren back to the Yankees as a throw in for Chapman. It was a sign and trade. Brendan Ryan was never gonna be part of the cubs. They fired him immediately.
Deadline deals are not the same at all. If McCann and Gattis are both hurt and the Astros need a Catcher, then that’s a good analogy. As of now? Not even close to the same
Astros should pass if includes Tucker… Realmuto is a decent catcher, but let’s not make him out to be the “future” catcher of the Astros. Doesn’t he have only 3 years of control left? One of those 3 years includes having McCann on the roster. Makes no sense for the Astros to send Tucker for essentially 2 years of a catcher who probably won’t even make an all star team.
He’s literally a top 5 catcher in baseball. Maybe top 3 after Posey and Sanchez
Astros don’t need 2 years of a “top 3 catcher” is my overall point. I would prefer the Astros focus on acquiring a better defensive catcher anyway. Especially at the cost of Kyle Tucker, 6 years of Kyle Tucker at that.
“Astros don’t need 2 years of a “top 3 catcher” is my overall point”
Yes they do. They are in their contention window.
Every team in baseball besides the Yankees, Giants, and Cubs would love to have Realmuto.
And Realmuto would be a HUGE defensive upgrade over McCann/Gattis. So, it seems you’re in favor of them acquiring him.
Realmuto was worth 14.5 Fielding Runs Above Average last year. That was 6th best out of 110 catchers. McCann was worth -3.7, 87th best. And Gattis is even worse than him behind the plate.
JT Realmuto 14.5 Fielding Runs ABove Average (6 of 110)
Brian mcCann -3.7 Fielding Runs Above Average (87 of 110)
Remember when the won the World Series and have essentially the same team returning? Plus Geritt Cole.
3 years, not 2 for Realmuto
We all know that.
Then you shouldn’t post 2 years of a top 3 pitcher. McCann would DH most of the time, Realmuto would catch, that simple, so all 3 years not 2. He would be a clear upgrade at basically their only weakness, I would gladly risk some future years of an unproven maybe for a legit chance at multiple championships but that’s just me.
McCann makes no sense at DH. He would be the a slow DH with ~20 homers. McCann for one year is fine. Figure out catcher in 2019. No need to send Tucker for 3 years of Realmuto.
Realmuto would bat 8th in the Astros lineup. It would be better to hang on to Tucker than upgrade the 8th place hitter. Springer, Bregman, Altuve, Correa, Yuli, Reddick, Gattis, Realmuto and Fisher… substituting Realmuto for McCann results in how many? 2-3 more wins on a 100 win team? coming off a World Series? Plus Gerrit Cole!? What are y’all talking about? No need for Realmuto, especially at the expense of Kyle Tucker. Can’t believe this is even a debate.
I think that’s a valid argument but neither McCann or Gattis is great defensively. Realmuto is a large improvement on that side of the ball and his pop time is much better than either of them. Add the fact that both are likely gone after 2018 and the deal makes more sense.
If I’m the cubs i wouldn’t offer a box of rocks for realmuto. They have a much better catcher and better backup too.
Cardinals don’t need him foot the next 2 yrs minimum.
Contreras is top 3. Sanchez is maybe top 20. Contreas was shafted from a gold glove last year. He honestly could be the best in baseball. Posey is good. But he’s aging and will play first within 2 years.
According to Baseball Prospectus, Contreras was one of the worst defensive catchers in baseball last season.
Framing Runs: -6.3 (98 of 110)
Throwing Runs: -1.0 (100 of 110)
Adjusted Fielding Runs: -6.8 (99 of 110)
Fielding Runs Above Average: -3.0 (84 of 110)
In Fielding Bible Award voting, he wasn’t even among the Top 15 catchers.
I do think Contreras is probably better than Realmuto, but to call him the best in baseball is absurd. Sanchez and Posey are clearly better.
How dare you bring stats into this discussion.
Contreas is easily a top 3 catcher. No one has as many pick off and caught stealing as him. And he’s only getting better. He hasn’t reached 20% of his power yet either. Plus he plays 1st and the corner outfield and 3rd. Name another catcher that plays 4 positions.
Sanchez has only play a season and a half. He had good stats. He’s not nearly as good on D as contreas. Neither is Posey. Sanchez is the best offensive catcher. Posey is just above average for D.
You have to be trolling, right?
1. Contreras did lead baseball in caught stealing. He was SEVENTEENTH in caught stealing percentage last year. He was NINTH in runners caught. He was, however, FIRST in stolen bases allowed.
2. Contreras has played a season and half, too. He’s played 193 career games. Sanchez has played 177.
3. He’s at 20% of his full power right now? Are you predicting he’ll be hitting 140 home runs a season in a few years?
4. Do you have any proof at all that Contreras is the best defensive catcher in baseball? Not a single statistic – traditional or sabermetric – supports that, nor does any analyst, executive, or scout. The opposite, in fact. All signs point to him being one of the poorest defensive catchers in the entire league.
5. Tony Wolters can play third base or the middle infield. Austin Barnes can play second and third. Christian Bethancourt can play the corner outfield and pitches.
6. Have you ever wondered WHY Contreras has been playing positions other than catcher? It’s not because the Cubs wanted Montero’s bat in the lineup. It’s because he was a defensive liability. Gary Sanchez, JT Realmuto, Buster Posey, etc. don’t need to play other positions because they are valuable behind the plate.
7. Buster Posey is a WELL above average defensive catcher, despite being 31 next year. Just a year ago, he was the unanimous recipient of the Fielding Bible Award, which he won the year before as well.
Be honest – was the first baseball game you ever watched Game 1 of the 2016 NLDS?
Say what? Away from Miami, JT rakes. You’re looking at .290, 25 HR, and a guy who flies around the bases. Not to mention the fastest pop time to 2B in the majors.
Tucker is probably the same, except Astros would keep him for twice as long.
I would love to have Realmuto on the Astros, but not for Tucker or Whitley… not changing my mind on that.
I wouldn’t do that deal either. Tucker is a controlled keeper for many years. No need for the Astros to pull off another deal, they’re the champs.
This is dumb talking about. This is the same argument as trading for Quintanna last offseason. Commenters were telling Astros fans that we wouldn’t make the playoffs if we didn’t give up Bregman, plus prospects, for Quintana. Then all these stats were thrown at us. His durability and if he’s an ace “top 10 in the AL”. Apparently Realmuto is the best catcher in the NL after Posey. That’s been determined after 1.5 seasons of above average output. See Lucroy, Jonathan. Astros need not turn the roster around for Realmuto by benching McCann or trade away top prospects for three years (essentially two accounting for McCann still being on the roster). But y’all can go ahead and fantasize about getting Tucker. He’s not going anywhere. Moving on.
how are the Nats not wheeling and dealing for this guy!
The Nats said no to trading Robles for Realmuto.
Now the Marlins can play the Nats agains’t the Astro;s for Realmuto. They should hold out for either Robles or Tucker.
After saying they wanted an elite MLB ready OF the Marlins held out until they got Brinson, an elite MLB ready OF, for Yelich. They will hold out until they get an elite MLB ready OF for Realmuto who is arguably more valuable because of the dearth of catchers on the market.
Hill has been very consistent in saying that the Marlins wanted MLB ready OF in any subsequent trades after Ozuna. No surprise that they are asking for Tucker.
Except that’s the bill for Fisher, not Tucker.
How is Fisher an elite MLB ready prospect with 6 years of team control? He is not an elite prospect. Never was. Isn’t now. He would not be close to enough as a headliner.
Tucker isn’t Major League ready. Fisher is.
He’s also not anywhere close to elite.
I’m torn on this one. There are very few guys I would want to give up Tucker for. A 26 year old .290 hitting catcher is one that I would strongly consider though.
Tucker is definitely a solid prospect, but I think this makes sense for Houston.
He’s a huge upgrade over what they have right now.
And they’d have him for three years. It’s very, very likely he’s relatively more valuable than Tucker during the next three years (certainly not definite, but the odds favor him). They should be all-in for the next couple years.
Houston’s situation is a little murky after next season. Morton, Keuchel, Gonzalez, and Gattis are free agents. And the season after that, Verlander, Altuve, Harris, and Cole hit the market. Peacock, Springer, Giles, and Reddick would be leaving the same year as Realmuto.
Both MLB.com and Baseball America in their prospect chat have said that Tucker is MLB ready. Fisher isn’t elite. Not close. Fisher doesn’t fit the bill.
pre-2017 Derek Fisher was a top 100 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. in over 500 AAA ABs he has a .940 OPS with 26 HRs and 21 SBs. he’s not Tucker’s level as far as rankings are concerned, but he’s no slouch. Quite frankly I hope the Astros hang on to him
He played in the Pacific Coast League, where the league average is 20+ points higher than both the MLB and the International League.
He also hit .212/.307/.356 with more than a strikeout per game in 53 games for Houston last season.
He’s also limited to left field, where even there, he’s a fringe-average defender.
Fisher just barely snuck on to MLB.com’s Top 100 list. Kyle Tucker has made the three big Top 100’s (MLB.com, BA, BP) in each of the three year’s since he’s been drafted. This year, he was a unanimous Top 20.
Derek Fisher will turn 25 in August. Kyle Tucker wasn’t able to legally drink until a couple weeks ago.
Fisher certainly has raw tools and could eventually turn out to be a decent player, but he’s not even close to being in the same company as Tucker.
I wonder if this is a 1-1 trade. Real ballsy if so. Love it.
Not a chance that it’s one for one.
Yeah Marlins would have to give up more!
McCann said he wants to finish his career in Atlanta never heard anything bout retiring. But anyway how do the Braves not beat any package for Realmuto ? If there is anybody out there for AA to get it’s him.
Acuna would be the only one, and he’s on a different tier to Tucker (65 grade vs 60). Same goes for Robles. The Braves next bunch of prospects are all top 30ish types, on another tier (55 grades). The Braves and Fish don’t match up here, the Astros kind of the only team that does. Either Tucker or Whitley for Realmuto straight up is fine for both sides.
Cleveland matches in a Realmuto for Mejia deal. Can’t see too many other matches in 1-1 style trades though.
Lol these Marlin fans just keep praying that the next trade is gonna make up for all the s*** sandwiches they have ate in the others this offseason.
WTF are you talking about? 4 top 100 prospects. A 28 year old, 4 time All Star. 2 pitchers that will be in the starting rotation in 2018 and 4 others that will make the 25 man roster including their starting CF.
LeftField………..I Guess People don’t get it.
Stanton had a Monster Contract….and a lousy track record for “games played/yr”
Now….if he was “under team control”….the Marlins would have received an enormous package of top prospects for him. As it is, they got a solid 2B with some trade value, and a couple decent prospects that should be productive in a few years.
Gordon had zero surplus value in his contract. They were lucky to get out of it and get something in return.
Ozuna deal provided an good return, better than most think, but well talk about “how good it was” in 2-3 years when those prospects are Big Leaguers.
The Yelich deal netted Brinson, who the Brewers were unwilling to trade for several marquee players they were interested in over the last 8-10 months. He should be a ROY candidate. The kid has Power and Speed. He’s probably a starter from Day 1 (for next to nothing), and is under team control “forever”…..Harrison might be a better player than Brinson, but is a couple years behind. The other two prospects have some upside that could be realized….in a few years.
If they get a solid return for Realmuto, they’ve accelerated a rebuild process and could be solid in 3 years. They’ll be financially solvent, with the ability to grab a few FA’s by then too.
We’ll see. A lot has to “go right”, but it’s looking positive from a “3-4 years from now” viewpoint..
Knock it off Houston, you’re not playing fair…I’m going home.
If the Marlins can get Tucker for Realmuto, that would be a steal for the Fish. In recent years, there haven’t been any position players to return a 60 FV or better prospect in trade.
The Marlins should count their lucky stars if they can get that level of prospect for 3 years of Realmuto.
Not sure if they were all 60 FV, but there have been many recent trades involving prospects of similar or better caliber than Tucker.
Within the past few years: Lucas Giolito (Adam Eaton), Gleyber Torres (Aroldis Chapman), Addison Russell (Jeff Samardzija), Yoan Moncada & Michael Kopech (Chris Sale), Eloy Jimenez (Jose Quintana), Anderson Espinoza (Drew Pomeranz), Clint Frazier (Andrew Miller), Lewis Brinson (Christian Yelich), Dansby Swanson (Shelby Miller)
And Realmuto, a Top 5 catcher in baseball under control for three affordable years, is definitely someone who would be worth one.
Trading pitching has returned top level (60+ FV) prospects like Torres, Russell, Moncada, Jimenez, Espinoza, Swanson, but not trades for position players.
The top position player trades recently returned 55 FV prospects like Giolito and Lopez for Eaton, Brinson and Harrison for Yelich, Newcomb for Simmons, Fulmer for Cespedes. These were all 55 FV prospects. I fully expect Realmuto to get a 55 FV prospect in return, maybe even 2. However, it would be a steal if the Marlins could turn 3 years of Realmuto into a better prospect than any of the prospects traded for 5 years of Yelich, 5 years of Eaton or 5 years of Simmons.
What are you using for FV – MLB.com? Kyle Tucker is #15 on Baseball America’s 2018 list. Lewis Brinson is #18. MLB.com had Giolito #3 in 2016 and #12 in 2017. There’s really not much of a difference. All of these guys are elite prospects.
Realmuto does have two less years of control than the others. But, he’s also a catcher – and a really good one.
Although free agency is more expensive, Lorenzo Cain was available this off-season. Bryce Harper, Charlie Blackmon, AJ Pollock, and Michael Brantley will be on the market next off-season.
Who was available behind the plate this winter? Wellington Castillo is pretty much the only one. Next season, it’s pretty much only Grandal. And as far as the trade market, you still have Billy Hamilton and Avisail Garcia that could be traded. Players like Yelich and Eaton are far easier to come by than Realmuto (maybe not contract wise, but still).
At least a dozen teams have checked in on Realmuto, and this could very easily turn into a bidding war between two highly stocked farms (Houston and Washington).
So it wouldn’t shock me at all if a prospect of Tucker’s caliber came over for Realmuto.
Realmuto to the Astros would be such a good move for them. Also as a mets fan I’d love this move cause it keeps him away from the nationals.
I doubt MIA would trade Realmuto to WSH unless they blew them away with an offer, and they’re not trading Robles. HOU is in a great position with Kyle Tucker that they could put together a nice package that MIA has been wanting all along.
Considering Astros held onto Tucker despite White Sox wanting him for Quintana, Tigers for Verlander, and Pirates for Cole, I doubt Astros would cave for Realmuto. If deal had to have Tucker, Astros probably look Lucroy.
Oof…that would be bad news bears for the rest of the AL. The last thing HOU needs is a stud C in that lineup. Or this could just be a ploy to get WASH to pony up.
MIA has a nice little bidding storm brewing. Should be an impressive list of prospects after they clear out the last of their core players. Mission accomplished I suppose.
#freebour2018
Acuna is not going anywhere and it would all depend on how many arms the Braves would have to give up could include Pache as well as he is expected to make huge strides over the next couple years and be ready in a better timeline of the Marlins contending.
I understand Tucker would be a great haul but the Braves got quality quantity arms to offer up don’t act like the Braves can’t be in the conversation or that Jeter would hang up the phone
I really don’t c realmuto going to Houston. Like many comments above that creates a logjam. Yes u can transition gattis to first base here and there. But he’s not a great catcher so he would probably b a butcher at first. McCann is the veteran leader on that team. Y would they want to reduce his role/trade him. Yes realmuto is the better overal player. But McCann is the leader of that team.
Plus they have so many rightys mccann is one of the only lefty regulars.
Of course their system didn’t drop from the Cole trade, they kept all their actual prospects and just traded scraps from the ML team.
Lets say Acuna played 1/2 the year for Braves and hit .230 and lost his prospect status. Would you now consider him a ml scrap? Thats what u r doing in regards to Musgrove and Martes.
Astros didn’t trade Martes but I see your point. Think maybe you meant Feliz?
They should definitely do it. Any package not including Whitley would be fine with me. It would cement them as the best team in the AL for at least the next three years
If the Astros get Realmuto, then they don’t expect, or want, McCann’s 2019 option to vest. They’d also have to trade one of their catchers. Article notes that Stassi is out of options, and I can’t see them carrying four catchers on the 25-man roster.
If they get Realmuto, Houston should trade McCann. (Not sure who’d want him–Anaheim, maybe?) They clear McCann’s 2018 salary, and 2019 salary, if the option were to vest (probably wouldn’t anyway), and use the savings to extend Altuve, Marwin Gonzalez, and Keuchel. Dealing McCann might even be a selling point for a team with a garbage farm system like Anaheim: “Hey, you get an experienced, above-average catcher on what amounts to a one-year contract Just give us [throws a dart]! What, are you going to roll with Rene Rivera? lolz but for real.”
Nationals still need a catcher.
Derek Fisher and Yordan Alveraz for Jacob Taylor Realmuto
You’re high
I think this is a no-brainer if Tucker is the headliner. Don’t misunderstand, I recognize Tucker as a blue chip prospect but then that’s the price you pay for Realmuto.
You trade Gattis because he’s the odd man out and keep McCann as your back up. Suddenly you have the deepest catching position BY FAR!! Just think about that. They would have two starting quality catchers and McCann is still certainly a top 10 starting catcher.
Also, someone was concerned that it would diminish McCanns roll as a leader but I don’t see why the one follows the other.
Realmuto might add another right handed bat but that is simply not enough reason to not add one of baseballs top 3 catchers.
I’d trade Realmuto for Fisher, Alvarez, and some other decent top 15 prospect. I find Kyle Tucker a bit overrated tbh, Whitley should be out of picture for obvious reasons, I’m a Marlins fan, but i wouldn’t trade Whitley unless i was getting a superstar player.
Considering age, improvement, advantage of playing in a better hitting environment in Houston, and five-tool package, Realmuto is as good as it gets at a premium position. The Marlins would be foolish to give him up for just Whitley or Tucker, who projects like Will Myers in my estimation.
they ain’t gonna trade tucker as bad as theyd like to get muto.. they only have to beat the national offer minus robles, spect.
McCann isn’t going anywhere. He would probably impart some wisdom on to the young catcher. Like how to handle an ace pitching staff… etc. I could see a package of McHue, Fisher, Gattis… and a mid level prospect.
Why would the Marlins want McHugh (not McHue)?
Why would the Marlins want Gattis?
The Astros need a Muto, fake or real, we’ll take either.
I’d love to see the Astros may a long term move to upgrade the catcher position. My only question is: what about Lucroy? I know he fell over, but is there anyone in next years FA class that’s better? I’d say: sign him and keep the prospects.
I like the idea of having Fisher and Tucker. One will hopefully work out.
If we can get Lucroy on a 2 year deal at a good price that would be most ideal.
I like how this is coming up with rumors of McHugh being dealt. How about this, Astros trade McHugh to the Orioles or Twins for prospects and then flip Derek Fisher and the prospects from the McHugh deal to Miami for Realmuto?
I’m not sure if the ‘Stros can swing it by just trading Fisher, but if they can then it’s a perfect deal.
Realmutp and Gnats are the best fit. Soto, Kieboom, Romero, Johnson, Read represent multiple working assets for Marlins.
Realmuto is a stud under team control for 3 more seasons, at a very thin position and frankly even as an Astros fan, Tucker is probably worth giving up. I just don’t think just Tucker will get that done.
Realmuto has much more value than Yelich, even with Yelich’s team friendly deal.