Realmuto Discussions in “Advanced Stages”
It appears as if the J.T. Realmuto saga is finally coming to a head, as a handful of teams have reportedly distanced themselves from the rest of the pack vying for his services.
As per Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, “trade talks for the Marlins’ All-Star catcher are in ‘advanced stages’, with four clubs in the mix”, naming Los Angeles, Cincinnati, San Diego, and Atlanta as a “clear Final Four” to acquire the 27-year-old backstop.
Realmuto has spent the first five seasons of his MLB career with Miami since being drafted by the organization in the third round of the 2010 draft.
A career .279/.327/.442 hitter, Realmuto had a fine 2018 campaign, slashing .277/.340/.484 with 21 home runs, 74 runs batted in, 30 doubles, and a 131 OPS+ rating. His .353 weighted on-base average and 126 weighted runs created plus rating were both career-highs, as were his home run and RBI tallies.
Frisaro goes on to talk up the Padres and their elite minor-league system as the most enticing option for Derek Jeter & Co. to explore a trade with, also naming the Reds as an intriguing partner.
Reds “Quietly Shopping” Prospect India
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Reds have been “quietly shopping” their 2018 first-round draft pick, 22-year-old infielder Jonathan India.
“When asked what ‘quietly shopping’ meant, [a rival executive] said the Reds started the offseason saying they were willing to move prospects,” Rosenthal wrote. “When rival clubs inquired, the Reds would steer the conversation to India, admitting they were unwilling to part with either infielder Nick Senzel or outfielder Taylor Trammel.”
India slashed .240/.380/.433 in his first professional season, split between Greeneville and Billings, both in Rookie Ball, as well as Single-A Dayton.
Rosenthal notes “the Marlins continue to talk to the Reds and other clubs about [J.T. Realmuto]”, and one can only assume that the 22-year-old would be front-and-center in a package going back to Miami in a potential deal.
Rosenthal also names the recently designated for assignment Nick Wittgren as a candidate to be included in a hypothetical deal. Wittgren, 27 and a right-hander, pitched to a 2.94 earned-run average over 32 appearances (33.2 innings) for the Marlins last season, with a 3.13 FIP, 1.307 WHIP, with 8.3 strikeouts and 4.0 walks per nine innings.
Padres Met With Harper
Jeff Passan of ESPN reported on Friday that free-agent superstar Bryce Harper met with Padres team officials on Thursday in Harper’s hometown of Las Vegas.
The Friars have evolved into a major free-agency player over the past few weeks, popping up in rumors involving a number of high-profile players.
“The emergence of San Diego as a possible destination for Harper dovetailed with a number of other potential moves by the Padres,” Passan wrote.”Including the pursuit of […] Manny Machado and a potential trade for [Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto].”
A career .279/.388/.512 hitter, Harper experienced a bit of a downturn last season. Harper, 26, hit .249/.393/.496 in 159 games (695 plate appearances) for the Nationals in 2018, racking up 34 homers, 34 doubles, 100 RBI, a .376 wOBA, and 135 wRC+ rating.
But with ties to Southern California (Harper played travel ball in San Diego as a teen), and arguably the most promising future in the league residing in the Padres’ farm system, Padres GM A.J. Preller apparently couldn’t resist at least speaking to the star outfielder.
Rangers Nab Davidson
Jeff Passan of ESPN confirmed that the Texas Rangers signed infielder Matt Davidson to a minor-league deal on Friday, adding “Davidson will be used as an infielder and could pitch, as well”.
Davidson, 27, hit .228/.319/.419 with 20 homers, 23 doubles, 62 runs batted in, 165 strikeouts, and a 103 OPS+ rating in 496 plate appearances with the White Sox last season, playing 45 games at first base, 14 at third, and spending 64 games as the Chisox’ designated hitter.
Davidson pitched three innings last season (three appearances), allowing no earned runs on one hit and one walk with two strikeouts.
More News
After initial reports of “serious discussions” between the Cincinnati Reds and veteran left-hander Zach Duke emerging from The Athletic (C.Trent Rosecrans and Ken Rosenthal), Jon Heyman of FanCred Sports confirmed on Friday that an agreement had been reached.
Duke, a 14-year MLB vet, pitched to a 4.15 earned-run average over 72 appearances (52 innings) for Minnesota and Seattle last season with a 3.01 FIP, 1.500 WHIP, with 51 strikeouts and 21 walks allowed.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reports that free-agent catcher Jesus Sucre has agreed to a minor-league deal with the Orioles, guaranteeing the 30-year-old Venezuelan native $850,000 if he reaches the majors. Sucre hit .209/.247/.253 in 73 games (198 plate appearances) for Tampa Bay last season with one homer, 17 RBI, and five doubles.
