Source: Realmuto to Phillies gaining steam
MIAMI -- A potential trade that would send All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto from the Marlins to the Phillies is near completion, sources told MLB.com on Thursday.
A prospective trade is down to the review of physicals and agreeing on a third player beyond right-handed pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez and catcher Jorge Alfaro, two sources told MLB Network insider Joel Sherman early Thursday afternoon. A source told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi that another player in the Phillies organization who has come up in negotiations is third baseman Alec Bohm, although it's not clear if he would be involved in any deal, if it happens. A source told MLB.com on Wednesday that Sanchez is viewed as a "must" to be included in a trade package for Realmuto.
The 20-year-old Sanchez ranks as the top prospect in a deep Phillies farm system, per MLB Pipeline (No. 27 in the game), and Bohm ranks second (No. 59 overall). Sherman added that right-hander Adonis Medina (No. 77 overall), lefty-hitting outfielder Adam Haseley and former No. 1 overall Draft pick Mickey Moniak have also been discussed. On Philadelphia's 2018 midseason Top 30 Prospects list, Medina, Haseley and Moniak rank third, fourth and sixth, respectively. Additional names being considered are shortstop Luis García (Phils' 14th) and right-hander Spencer Howard (Phils' 18th), MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported.
Earlier this week, Philadelphia re-engaged with Miami regarding Realmuto. The Marlins, per sources, have also been in talks recently with the Reds, Padres, Dodgers, Braves and Rays.
The Marlins are pushing to complete a trade before their pitchers and catchers begin workouts Wednesday at the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex in Jupiter, Fla. But the team also is willing to wait if it is not pleased with the overall package.
Ideally, Miami would like something done before Marlins FanFest, which is on Saturday at Marlins Park. All players on the 40-man roster are required to attend FanFest, but it would be uncomfortable to have Realmuto at the ballpark if he is on the verge of being traded.
The Phillies have expressed interest in Realmuto as far back as last July, and they were also engaged earlier in the offseason. But with Spring Training set to begin next week, they resurfaced as a viable option for Realmuto, who statistically had one of the best seasons of any catcher in the Majors last year.
An All-Star for the first time in 2018, Realmuto batted .277 and recorded career highs for home runs (21) and RBIs (74).
A hard-throwing right-hander, Sanchez has a fastball that routinely clocked above 94 mph for Class A Advanced Clearwater last season.
Sanchez went 4-3 with a 2.51 ERA in 46 2/3 innings, and he missed significant time due to right elbow inflammation. A sore collar bone kept Sanchez from attending the Arizona Fall League.
After a slow offseason with minimal roster moves, the Marlins have signed infielder Neil Walker for $2 million and outfielder Curtis Granderson to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training in the past two weeks.
Miami is also looking to sign at least one reliever before the start of Spring Training.