With the Los Angeles Dodgers in search of an answer behind the plate, the best option in terms of talent lies in the form of Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto. After a strong season, the 27-year-old is looking to be traded rather that remain on a team that’s rebuilding.
The Marlins initially appeared hesitant to pursue deals for Realmuto, but are now said to have engaged multiple teams in trade talks. While the Los Angeles Dodgers were among them, any traction toward a deal has yet to generated.
There was momentum toward the Marlins, New York Mets and Yankees coming together on a three-team deal but that has fallen off.
With respect to the Dodgers, the possibility they would align with Miami has not yet come to fruition in large part because of a reluctance to include Cody Bellinger in the trade, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred:
The holdup with the dodgers on realmuto has been their unwillingness to include Cody Bellinger.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2018
It was previously reported the Dodgers would need to build a package around Bellinger and include Yasiel Puig or Alex Verdugo in order to trade for Realmuto. While Puig and Verdugo may be trade chips, moving Bellinger is not believed to be under much consideration.
Although Realmuto would provide a significant boost at catcher, he also is only under team control for two more seasons.
