Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto wants out of Miami

Miami Marlins ownership has blown up the team, and its next trade candidate has voiced his opinion.

The Miami Marlins have been in selling mode since the beginning of the offseason. They’ve traded away almost every valued asset they had left. The fans felt the rug was yanked from under them, but it needed to be done to clear almost $500 million in debt and build up the farm system.

So, the team has purged the MLB roster. They’ve moved their whole starting outfield as well as second baseman Dee Gordon. And there are more moves to come. Although there are less than two weeks away from spring training workouts, a big trade could happen. On Friday, J.T. Realmuto’s camp said he wants out of South Beach:

"“No matter how his arbitration hearing turned out, J.T.’s preference remains the same,” agent Jeff Berry, co-head of CAA baseball, said in his first public comments on Realmuto this offseason. “He would like to be traded to another organization before spring training so he has an opportunity to compete for a championship.”"

Realmuto is just another player who wants to take his talents elsewhere. That isn’t a surprise considering the team has no chance of competing for anything except the NL East basement. With that said, Miami needs to make it a priority to ship him off. Not just because his agent said something, but because they’ve already dealt everybody else. He’s not going to be the cornerstone player to insert with the young core. That’s going to be Lewis Brinson.

The Marlins have vastly improved their farm system in the offseason. But it isn’t one of the best yet. The clubbed didn’t get a substantial enough return in the Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna trades. To their credit, the Christian Yelich trade was the best one. The Marlins want that type of return for Realmuto as well, but they’re going to have to lower their asking price.

Next: Former top prospect done with baseball?

The Washington Nationals have been a frequent trade partner for the Marlins. The team will not give up it’s two top prospects, Victor Robles and Juan Soto. According to Jon Heyman, these are the next tier the Marlins could acquire:

"In any case, the Nats have some other young players and prospects who could form a deal for Realmuto, and six they are believed willing to consider are young outfielder Michael Taylor, shortstop Carter Kieboom, pitchers Erick Fedde and Seth Romero, and catchers Pedro Severino and Raudy Read."

So, the Miami Marlins have options. It’s great they want top prospects, but who doesn’t? Realmuto is controllable until the end of the 2020 season. He has been one of the most productive catchers with the bat. In 2017, the backstop hit .278 with 17 home runs and 65 RBI. He’s a hot commodity, and the Marlins should cash in. Ultimately, it will only get worse for Marlins fans before it gets better.