In a surprisingly candid interview with Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (Twitter link, with audio), Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo largely quashed rumors and speculation that have tied his team to star Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto. According to Rizzo, the Nationals touched base with the Marlins on Realmuto’s availability but haven’t really circled back this season.
“They’ve got a great player in Realmuto,” said Rizzo. “They’re not going to sell him cheap. We know what the return has to be on Realmuto, and we’re not willing to meet that price. So unless something changes there, on their end, we’re going to go with [Matt] Wieters when he gets healthy and a combination of [Pedro] Severino and [Spencer] Kieboom to back him up.”
Washington’s offseason interest in Realmuto was reported on at length over the winter. Multiple offseason reports suggested that the Marlins asked the Nats for a package headlined by one of their two most-coveted outfield prospects, Victor Robles or Juan Soto, the latter of whom has exploded onto the scene in the Majors at the age of 19. Robles, meanwhile, has missed much of the season with a hyperextended elbow but is still considered by many to be among the game’s 10 best prospects.
While that’s a lofty asking price, to be sure, it’s also not difficult to see why the Marlins would hold Realmuto in such high regard. The 27-year-old batted .290/.337/.440 in 1124 plate appearances from 2016-17 and has taken his offensive game to new heights in 2018, raking at a .297/.355/.524 pace (143 OPS+, 140 wRC+). After missing nearly a month with a minor lower back injury early in the season, Realmuto has already belted nine homers, 15 doubles and three triples in just 232 plate appearances.
Beyond his offensive prowess, Realmuto is considered a strong defensive catcher. He’s thrown out 11 of the 26 runners who’ve attempted to steal against him for a career-best 42 percent caught-stealing rate, and he generally rates as an above-average pitch framer and pitch blocker, per Baseball Prospectus. Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly when assessing his trade value, he is eminently affordable from a financial standpoint and can be controlled through the 2020 season. Realmuto is earning $2.9MM in his first year of arbitration eligibility and will be eligible twice more before reaching free agency in the 2020-21 offseason.
Catcher was the Nationals’ most glaring need in the offseason, but the team did surprisingly little to address the deficiency outside of a minor league deal for veteran Miguel Montero, who was quickly released after cracking the Opening Day roster. To Wieters’ credit, he looked to be in the midst of a potential rebound at the plate after a last year’s dreary .225/.288/.344 slash; through a small sample of 76 PAs early in 2018, Wieters hit .231/.342/.385 with three homers and vastly improved strikeout and walk rates. But, he’s now been on the shelf since May 11 due to a hamstring injury that required surgery.
There are other catching options on the trade market, of course. Wilson Ramos’ name figures to be oft-mentioned on the rumor circuit as the deadline approaches, and the Mets would presumably be open to flipping recently acquired Devin Mesoraco when they inevitably begin to trade veteran pieces. Other speculative options include Robinson Chirinos and Francisco Cervelli. Blake Swihart, too, will be a rumored possibility, though it’s more difficult to see a contending club acquiring him and immediately inserting him into a regular role behind the plate when he’s scarcely played there in 2018.
We will find out how much they want to stick to their guns come the deadline.. They could certainly hold until the offseason regardless. But, all signs point to Cervelli/Ramos… Cervelli would be a great option they could get without Soto/Robles/Kieboom.
I couldn’t agree more. Miami is likely asking more for Realmuto than any team could possibly afford in prospects. I don’t think they’re motivated to trade him any way. Cervelli provides veteran leadership, great Clubhouse presence, having a career year, is healthy, and is owed approximately $5.25M for the remainder of 2018/$11.5M for 2019. PIT will be motivated to move that contract. Ramos is an excellent fallback who is owed almost the same as Cervelli for the rest of ‘18, but he’s a FA thereafter. Realmuto would be great, but it’s not worth gutting the farm.
The braves, Phillies, White Sox all have the farm system to get him. The red Sox could probably get him too. But I don’t know if any of those teams are willing to part with some of their high end prospects it would take to get him.
White Sox and the Phillies yea, but the Red Sox have nothing to acquire him.
Red Sox would have to give up a lot of talent to compete. Chavis, Groome, Meta, beeks, and Swihart would probably be fair but Marlins sound to be looking for at least one high end talent which only a few teams like the White Sox, Braves, Blue Jays and Nats have.
And why exactly would the Brave, Phillies, or White Sox (3 rebuilding teams) trade multiple high end pieces from their farm for Realmuto?
The Red Sox should not be mentioned in the comment of “high end prospects it would take to get him” because THEY HAVE NOBODY ON THE FARM…..their system is barren of ready for majors talent. GEEZ!
Why would the Marlins even consider a trade including Groome as a headliner when he’s at least a year and some before he can even pitch again, and given that he never ascended above the lowest of the low minors….who knows….he may b a never was! Doubt he can headline anything.
And, nobody. thinks Swihart is anything but a throw in….come on at least be objective about any trade.
They may be bottom feeding but this is ridiculous
Agreed Rocky.. In order for the Red Sox to be in the conversation for Realmuto Devers would have to headline any package going to the Marlins. Devers/Houck/Meta/Swihart should be enough. The Marlins would probably ask for Groome as a lottery ticket throw in to overwhelm them. They seem to be looking to equal or beat the return for Yelich which was an absolute haul.
marlins aren’t touching Chavis after his suspension and Groome is out all year after surgery. They’re gonna have to do better than that
How do you know he provides a “great Clubhouse presence”?
What would the Nats have to offer for Cervelli?
Unlike the other Pirate veteran rentals (Mercer, Freese, Rodriguez, etc.) I think the Pirates will look to keep Cervelli. He’s so important to the many, many, many young pitchers and they have no one in the system at catcher to play behind Diaz.
Call me crazy… and I might be… But the Yankees have the prospects to get a deal done. But they don’t want/need Realmuto.
Bryce Harper to the Yankees, prospects from NYY to Marlins, Realmuto from Miami to Washington.
Might need to re=up Bryce on that contract with an opt-out (discussed today) to get the Yankees to part with enough prospects.
Any team could use Bryce, but the Nats could use that Bryce money elsewhere with Eaton, Robles, and Soto a good trio for this year and the next few.
Sort of a lateral move for this year, maybe… though upgrade at catcher would be greater than downgrade at OF, at least the way Bryce is playing this season. But the future… they’d have an extra $30M/year to work with… and still have a great OF.
This year is looking less and less promising for the Nats… this is a nice hybrid move between buying and selling.
Ahh, the good old ” I want your star player, but I don’t want to give up any of my good prospects for him.”
On another note, I just realized how much of a laughingstock the Cubs would be right now if they didn’t win in 2016 considering they gave up Gelyber Torres for three months of Aroldis Chapman.
So true. But flags fly forever
Marlins will not trade one of the top 5 catchers in baseball for nothing… especially within the division. Take a hike Rizzo.
They may not want to trade an excellent young catcher with control at all. Who has the brighter future in that division Mets or Marlins?
wow, thats close call and shouldnt be..
Are you implying they shouldnt trade their best asset to acquire the most potential impact talent to add to their system so that they can fight it out for second to last place in their division???
Marlins. At least they’ve realized they’re screwed and are counteracting it with selloffs.
Catchers mostly have a short shelf life. No way should the Nats trade Robles for Realmuto.
I understand both sides of this. Why make it so emotive though. Both sides walked away for business reasons.
“and [Spencer] Kieboom to back him up.””
His brother should be untouchable.
Soto, Robles and Kieboom are the Nats future.
And that future is likely in 3rd place behind the Braves and Phils.
Doesn’t have to be.
Depends on the commitment to win by the Nats owner. They’re in very good shape.
I don’t think you are crediting the Nationals enough. The Nationals MIGHT not own the division anymore but they have the talent and money to stay competitive. My concern is for the Braves. They have the talent now but in 5 years will they have the payroll to keep their talent..because the Phillies and Nationals will.
Swihart may be an option as a catcher by bottom feeders with nothing to lose. Contending teams likely don’t need but if they inquire, its more likely in the role he has now, 25th man with versatility but of limited value.
19.95
Lucroy is another option. May not need much to get him.
The Tigers have Salty cooling his heels down in AAA if anybody wants him. Anybody? Hello? Is this thing working?
OK Rizzo, if you don’t want to pay the price then you’re not getting the player! The world is fine with the Nats living in mediocrity, meanwhile things that really want to win will do it they need to do to get it done. No pain no gain!
I mean If the offer was Robles and some lower end prospects for jt. Why wouldn’t you do it? Robles might be a giant bust you have no idea with prospects. Realmuto is the real deal.
Every prospect in the game “might be a giant bust.” So should every team trade their best prospects now?
On the field, Cervelli is actually a little better than Realmuto. He’ll cost less, because he’s making more money and is under control for a year less, but if the Nats want the best catcher available, they should forget about the Marlins and their silly demands for top tier prospects, and just cough up a couple of middling prospects and the $15M Cervelli is owed for the next year and a half.
“ . . . they should forget about the Marlins . . . and just cough up a couple of middling prospects and the $15M Cervelli is owed . . . “
Works for me and, I would assume, the Nats. But have the Pirates recognized that it’s time to look forward yet?
The Pirates aren’t looking anywhere, except the checkbook. They’ll love to unload $15M.
Give the Nats a call when he gets off the concussion list. Of course the price just went down.
Fair enough. I like the the new 7 day DL for concussions, but I despise the 10 day DL.
Bring back the 15
“ . . . I despise the 10 day DL. . . Bring back the 15.”
(Can’t tell whether this is really subtle snark so I’ll just play along.).
OK, xabial, what about the ten day DL has attracted your ire? And while you’re at it, is the five day difference that significant? What advantages are there from using a 15 day DL rather than a 10 day DL?
There is a clear advantage for the team using the 10 day DL. A starting pitcher can go on the DL now and miss only a single turn through the rotation. It’s no surprise we’re seeing more guys hit the DL now. It isn’t necessarily bad but it is there. Is there a significance in decreasing the minimum DL stint 33%? I think any fool could tell you “yes.”
“There is a clear advantage for the team using the 10 day DL. . . I think any fool could tell you “yes.”
But teams are all playing by the same rules, no? While a shorter DL may benefit some teams more than others depending on injury situation, any fool could tell you there’s no advantage given to anyone when the same rule is applied equally.
Realmuto’s value continue to soar as arguably the top C in the game. Marlins have no choice but continue with their silly demands.
JT is arguably the best C in baseball right now. I’d prefer the Fish sign him long term. Heart and soul of the team.
Why would any solid player want to give up free agency to sign long term with the Marlins?
Rizzo such a clown. He’s won nothing can’t get past 1st round. He’s had hundred managers and did all time goof shutting down Strasberg years ago which might of been best team
Reasons not to sell Realmuto are the same as they were with Yelich, arguably not even as obvious b/c of Yelichs great contract, and yet, he got traded for literally absolutely nothing. The Marlins have made abhorrent trades over the last several years, e9ther giving up way too much, or getting very little back. As a Marlins fan, I have no reason to think they’ll get anything even decent if/when he gets moved
The White Sox would likely be pleased to trade Welington Castillo when he is able to return from suspension, at a very reasonable price.
And he won’t be eligible for the postseason. Great trade value…
In addition to the glaring winter (last) of needing a starting catcher (which they did not address), the Nats also knew that the needed a strong #3 pitcher which they ignored also. On top of that look at the success (or lack of) of their batting coach…..everyone is worse
My bad on the duplicate post…sorry
The Nats keep repeatedly contacting Miami about Realmuto, yet Rizzo says unless anything changes on Miami’s end, ie the asking price goes down, nothing is gonna happen. You would think that of all people, the GM of a MLB team would have a running concept of how supply and demand works.
“The Nats keep repeatedly contacting Miami about Realmuto . . . “
Guess it’s just a matter of semantics, but a couple of phone calls doesn’t add up to “repeatedly contacting” to me. Rizzo called and enquired last year, during this past offseason and again this season. Seems reasonable enough.
“You would think that . . . The GM of a MLB team would have a running concept of how supply and demand works.”
Which part of what Rizzo said herein suggests that he doesn’t understand the marketplace?
What’s the demand for Realmuto right now? How many contenders are looking for catchers? Red Sox? Nats? That’s probably it. Nats can beat the Sox’s best package without Robles. If the Fish can keep Kieboom in a packag, I’d have to strongly consider that.
The Nats GM Rizzo just doesn’t have the stones to pull the trigger on a real deal in order to get Washington over the hump. So once again they aren’t going to have the horses to win the World series this year. Look at the last several WS winners, they all made at least one deadline move that was a real game changer, and more importantly was a real risk in that they gave up real talent to acquire a player that could move the needle so to speak. The royals with cueto/Zobrist, the cubs got the lefty bullpen piece, etc. Rizzo is not willing to risk it all in order to win it all, which is why at the end of the Harper era he isn’t going to have even a WS appearance let alone a title. Which is sad when you consider the team lucked into not just one but two generational no brainer no. 1 picks in Harper and Strasburg.