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Rumor: Atlanta Braves still in the midst of the final push for J.T. Realmuto

By Alan Carpenter

HIROSHIMA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 13: Pitcher Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres and Catcher J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins talk after allowing a RBI single to Outfielder Seiji Uebayashi #51 of Japan to make it 3-2 in the top of 9th inning during the game four between Japan and MLB All Stars at Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium Hiroshima on November 13, 2018 in Hiroshima, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
HIROSHIMA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 13: Pitcher Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres and Catcher J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins talk after allowing a RBI single to Outfielder Seiji Uebayashi #51 of Japan to make it 3-2 in the top of 9th inning during the game four between Japan and MLB All Stars at Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium Hiroshima on November 13, 2018 in Hiroshima, Japan. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres celebrates with Francisco Mejia #27 after the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on September 24, 2018 in San Francisco, California. The San Diego Padres defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-0. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 24: Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres celebrates with Francisco Mejia #27 after the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on September 24, 2018 in San Francisco, California. The San Diego Padres defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-0. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

San Diego

Of the teams in the hunt, I would be most concerned about these guys and the Dodgers.

The Padres were said yesterday to want an opportunity to get Realmuto inked to a contract extension in the same manner that Cincinnati was able to do with their acquisition of Sonny Gray.

As Joe Frisaro notes above, it appears that the Marlins have rejected this request, apparently believing they can get enough in return without giving special treatment to San Diego.  That could serve to reduce the Padres’ offer… but likely not the Marlins’ demands:

Of some note, Mejia has also been playing third base, and both positions are of interest to the Marlins.

If the Padres were to get Realmuto, then their catching needs are clearly solved, though they would have to deal with the hot corner… they have been linked to both Manny Machado and Mike Moustakas, so there’s a plan… kinda whacky, perhaps, but a plan nonetheless.

Mejia could still be in their offer, but what other pieces would be included?  That’s unknown.

Houston

The Astros have long been asked for Kyle Tucjer and/or Forrest Whitley – both in MLBPipeline’s Top 10 overall prospects with Whitley the #1 prospect pitcher overall.  Houston has been balking at trading both, and I would be a little surprised if they caved now.

Their counters, then would be OF Yordan Alvarez (#42 overall) and RHP Josh James (#95).  Absent including someone from their major league roster, I expect that this would not be enough for the Fish.

Los Angeles

You almost get the feeling that the Dodgers could do anything they want to do at any time.  The Marlins want Cody Bellinger but might have to settle for Alex Verdugo (#32 overall prospect).  The Dodgers would rather send Joc Pederson, but he’s not the headliner that the Marlins would prefer.

Catcher Keibert Ruiz (#39 overall, #3 catching prospect overall), would be the other prize, and you’d have to think he’d be tradable if Realmuto comes over.  But would the Dodgers part with both their #1 and #2 prospects?

The answer is probably – eventually – ‘yes’, given that their goal now is ‘World Series trophy’.  They also have a huge need at catcher, so right now my money is on them to get this trade done.

But that said… see below.

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