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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 05: Alex Verdugo #61 of the Los Angeles Dodgers misses a catch on a ball hit by Amed Rosario #1 of the New York Mets, driving in Kevin Plawecki #26 for a 4-2 Met lead, during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium on September 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 05: Alex Verdugo #61 of the Los Angeles Dodgers misses a catch on a ball hit by Amed Rosario #1 of the New York Mets, driving in Kevin Plawecki #26 for a 4-2 Met lead, during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium on September 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Other Inputs

Craig Mish has been in on much of the chatter for as long as this topic has been simmering, and he has some additional thoughts today on the subject.  Here’s a quick Q&A:

DODGERS – So Mish believes LAD will not send both Verdugo and Ruiz, though perhaps Verdugo with Austin Barnes.

That actually makes sense.  The Dodgers just added Russell Martin, so Barnes would immediately become expendable… and the Astros would be raising a hand to get Barnes if he didn’t end up in Miami.

But would Miami do that?  Remember:  they are after multiple prospects, and Barnes – while under control through 2022 – isn’t exactly that.

PADRES – the suggestion is their #2 and #3 prospects, MacKenzie Gore and Francisco Mejia (everybody knows that a request for Fernando Tatis Jr.is a show-stopper… even the Marlins).

Sounds like they would be in with a guaranteed contract extension, but not so otherwise.

ATLANTA – Okay, now let’s talk.

Sorry, Miami:  that’s too much.

According to many reports, Anderson (currently in AA) is arguably the one pitching prospect that could become that ‘ace’ pitcher (MLB Pipeline’s thoughts notwithstanding)… and therefore is probably the reason this deal hasn’t happened yet.

In addition, I’m pretty certain the Braves don’t want to part with Riley either.

The Braves could counter with something like this:

  • One outfielder from this group:  Inciarte or Pache
    • If Pache were to be acceptable, then the Braves don’t have to go shopping for another OF.  Otherwise, that Joc Pederson scenario becomes ‘live’.
  • One pitcher from this group:  Newcomb/Gohara
  • One pitcher from this group:  Wilson/Allard/Wentz/Muller

More from Tomahawk Take

(Braves retain Tyler Flowers, but could spin him to the Astros).

That’s still an overpay.  Realmuto is the best available catcher – easily – but that’s more of a statement about catchers today than it is about him.

Because… Reasons

So why would Atlanta do this? Even though he’s not the second coming of Johnny Bench that Miami seems to believe, Realmuto’s still a measurable upgrade and has already been a run-producer in a lineup pretty much devoid of other hitters since the entire Marlin outfield was traded away.

Also because it puts them ahead of the Nationals again and could – with an extension – solidify the catching position for the the foreseeable future… one that has limited talent until the arrival of William Contreras.

Next. Tips for Florida in the Spring. dark

But that’s the news… and it doesn’t matter what I think:  it matters what is ultimately acceptable by the Marlins… and which team blinks first.  Hopefully… finally… this thing ends by Monday or Tuesday.

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