Fansided

MLB Trade Rumors: Top 10 remaining offseason trade candidates

By Joshua Sadlock

MILWAUKEE, WI - SEPTEMBER 15: Christian Yelich #21 of the Miami Marlins walks through the dugout before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 15, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - SEPTEMBER 15: Christian Yelich #21 of the Miami Marlins walks through the dugout before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on September 15, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 26: J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins in action during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 26, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 26: J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins in action during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 26, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images) /

5. J.T. Realmuto

Catcher is a difficult position to evaluate on the trade block. Analytics have made it clear now more than ever that running a backstop out more than 110-120 times a season is a fool’s errand. Not a single MLB catcher registered over 500 at-bats from the position in 2017. Only seven topped 400, and two of them checked in below .700 in the OPS department.

J.T. Realmuto caught 125 games and over 1,000 innings in 2017, which practically makes him Iron Man by today’s standards. The 26-year-old has quietly emerged as one of the best young catchers in the game and has hit .290/.337/.440 over the past two years with 62 doubles, 28 home runs and 113 RBI. Realmuto is one of the most athletic catchers in baseball, and has 28 stolen bases in his four-year career.

The Marlins have plenty of time to field offers for Realmuto, but he also wants out. The team’s three biggest trade chips have all made it known to the public that they have no desire to remain in Miami. It would be for the best to make a clean break before the year.

To make the situation even more pleasant, the Marlins and Realmuto will head to arbitration. He is not a free agent until after the 2020 season, giving any team that acquires him three years of production from a rapidly-improving power bat behind the plate who throws out runners at a clip better than the league average. The Texas Rangers, with Robinson Chirinos currently penciled in as their starter, look like one potential landing spot for Realmuto.

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