The Mets may not be finished making trades.
New York is talking with the Marlins about a potential deal for catcher J.T. Realmuto, according to a report from The Athletic, which cites unidentified league sources. The teams are engaged in serious discussions, the report says.
The Marlins are asking for at least one controllable major-league asset as the centerpiece of the package they receive in return for Realmuto, according to the report. New York could include Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto or Amed Rosario in the deal.
#Marlins want at least one controllable major-league asset as centerpiece for Realmuto. #Mets have Conforto/Nimmo/Rosario, but would need to replace whoever they traded in FA market or other deals. Teams engaged. NYM aggressive. https://t.co/j1fpxsCNEl
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 4, 2018
New York is "pushing hard" to acquire Realmuto and the sides continue to negotiate, according to a separate report from The Athletic.
#Mets are pushing hard for #Marlins Realmuto but package will be much stronger than just Nimmo according to sources on both sides
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) December 5, 2018
#Marlins asking price for Realmuto from #Mets has been Conforto and Rosario ++....too steep for #Mets.....they'll do Nimmo + but so far not enuf for #Marlins ....as talks continue...
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) December 5, 2018
First-year Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen addressed the trade rumors surrounding his team and Realmuto in an interview Tuesday with SiriusXM Radio.
“For us to move Major League pieces, especially core guys that will have the opportunity to play for our team for many years to come, it is always going to be a big burden or big challenge for us to move those guys,” Van Wagenen said. “(But) we’ve got to be open minded. We have to be willing to explore anything and not rule anything out.
“We’ve got a little bit of flexibility (at catcher), but if we had a chance to get another guy that could impact the middle of our lineup, whatever position he plays, we’d be foolish not to explore it.”
The 27-year-old Realmuto registered a .277/.340/.484 slash line and made his first All-Star team in 2018. He also hit 21 home runs and tallied 74 RBIs.
The Mets officially acquired infielder Robinson Cano and hard-throwing closer Edwin Diaz from the Mariners last week in exchange for five players, including outfielder Jay Bruce as well as top prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn.