Although we are now four days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to camp, yesterday was another slow day on the MLB hot stove. However, some big new rumors broke out on the Realmuto and Harper markets. Let’s take a look at some of the buzz from yesterday.

Marlins Want Phillies Top Prospect for Realmuto

As trade talks for JT Realmuto between the Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies begin to heat up, any potential agreement will most likely come down to Phillies pitcher and top overall prospect, Sixto Sanchez, along with young catcher, Jorge Alfaro, writes Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.

Sanchez is the 27th overall ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline’s current list. In his age 20 season, the righty went 4-3 with a 2.51 ERA, with a 1.071 WHIP and 45 strikeouts in 46 innings.

As for Alfaro, the Marlins are looking for a backstop to replace Realmuto if they deal him. At 25 years of age, Alfaro played his first full season in the big leagues for the Phillies last season posting a stat line of .262/.324/.407 with a wRC+ of 96, while slugging 10 home runs and driving in 37 RBI.

Frisaro also notes that the Marlins are pushing to complete any deal done prior to pitchers and catchers reporting next week, but the team is also willing to wait if they aren’t pleased with the overall package.

Giants Meet with Harper

According to Randy Miller of NJ.com and Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports, the San Francisco Giants have reportedly met with highly touted free agent outfielder, Bryce Harper.

Heyman notes, the Giants level of serious interest is currently unclear, but they were also very active in trying to acquire Giancarlo Stanton via trade last offseason, which certainly makes them a potential candidate.

As San Fran emerges as one of the multiple new teams in on the superstar outfielder in the past few weeks, this deal also makes a ton of sense given their desperation for outfielders at the moment with spring training on the horizon.

Pirates Sign Tom Koehler

 The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right handed pitcher, Tom Koehler to a minor league deal with no invite to major league camp per Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic.

Biertempfel notes that Koehler is expected to miss the majority of this upcoming season due to the fact that he is coming off shoulder surgery from last summer, which he’s continuing to rehab.

Koehler last pitched with the Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays in 2017, where he struggled mightily going 1-7 with a 6.69 ERA, 6.05 FIP, and 1.624 WHIP. The soon to be 33-year-old pitcher, has a career stat line of a 4.39 ERA, 4.49 FIP, and 1.394 WHIP to go along with a 36-55 win-loss record in 146 career starts.

Boxberger Signs with the Royals

As Jeffrey Flannagan of MLB.com and Heyman reported yesterday, relief pitcher, Brad Boxberger has signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals for 2.2 million. The deal also includes up to 1 million in incentives, says Heyman.

Boxberger made 60 appearances for the Arizona Diamondbacks last year putting up a 4.39 ERA, 4.55 FIP, and 1.425 WHIP to go along with 71 strikeouts. Heading into his age 31 season, the righty reliever has one lone All-Star appearance under his belt in 2015 with the Tampa Bay Rays.