February 07, 2019
UPDATE [3:25 p.m.] — The Phillies have made it official, announcing that they've acquired J.T. Realmuto from the Marlins. They gave up catcher Jorge Alfaro, right-handed starter and top prospect Sixto Sánchez, left-handed pitching prospect Will Stewart, and international bonus pool money.
Here's a bit more on Realmuto from the team's press release:
Realmuto, 27, was selected to his first National League All-Star team last season and won the Silver Slugger Award. He played in 125 games (111 starts) with the Marlins and batted .277 with 30 doubles, 21 home runs, 74 RBI and an .825 OPS. He led all major league catchers in total bases (206) and his 49 extra-base hits were tied for the most (Yasmani Grandal). Defensively, Realmuto threw out 14 runners attempting to steal in 48 opportunities.
Per FanGraphs valuation of WAR, Realmuto led all major league catchers with 4.8 fWAR last season (next: Grandal, 3.6), which was the highest by a catcher since Buster Posey posted a 5.5 fWAR in 2015. Further, having played last season at age 27, Realmuto’s 4.8 fWAR was the seventh-highest of any catcher, age 27 or younger, over the last 10 seasons, trailing only Joe Mauer (7.6 in 2009 and 5.0 in 2010), Buster Posey (7.6 in 2012, 5.5 in 2014 and 4.9 in 2013) and Brian McCann (4.9 in 2010).
Originally selected by Miami in the third round of the June 2010 draft, Realmuto is a career .279 hitter with 114 doubles, 59 home runs, 243 RBI and a .768 OPS. His 92 doubles since 2016 are more than any other catcher in baseball and his .286 average is the second-highest among all catchers in that span. With at least 35 extra-base hits in each of his first four full seasons in the majors (2015-18), Realmuto joined Johnny Bench and Mike Piazza as the only catchers to do so in major league history. He is under team control through the 2020 season.
UPDATE [2:30 p.m.] — There it is. The Phillies appear to have acquired Marlins All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto in exchange for top prospect Sixto Sanchez, catcher Jorge Alfaro and a pair of other prospects, according to Jim Bowden.
#Phillies #Marlins deal agreed upon. 4 players going to #Marlins including Sanchez and Alfaro in return for Realmuto.
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) February 7, 2019
According Jeff Passan, however, it may only be three players and some international signing money.
Philadelphia and Miami are in agreement on a trade that would send All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto to the Phillies for catcher Jorge Alfaro, pitching prospects Sixto Sanchez and Will Stewart, and an international bonus slot, league sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 7, 2019
For what it's worth, both Jim Salisbury and Todd Zolecki are reporting the same as Passan. Also...
The Realmuto deal is done.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 7, 2019
Harper remains a clear target for the Phillies.
And this lineup, with Cesar Hernandez and his career .360 on-base percentage at the bottom?
The NL East is going to be a glorious bloodbath this season. https://t.co/fw4vrjf8Zb
More to come...
UPDATE [12:57 p.m.] — According to Matt Breen of the Inquirer, the Phillies' trade for J.T. Realmuto is expected to be completed by the end of the day. He also gave a little insight as to why the Phillies would be willing to part with their top prospect in Sixto Sanchez.
The #Phillies expect to have the trade for J.T. Realmuto finalized today, per source. Got the feeling earlier this offseason that Sixto Sanchez had fallen out of favor with front office not for injury history but for his conditioning. Yet he’s still just 20 years old.
— Matt Breen (@matt_breen) February 7, 2019
It may be NBA Trade Deadline Day, but the Phillies could be trying to steal the spotlight from their South Philly neighbors, the Sixers. According to multiple reports, the Phillies are nearing a deal with the Marlins to acquire All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto.
Sources: #Marlins, #Phillies continue discussing J.T. Realmuto trade. There has been momentum in last 24 hours. Sixto Sanchez is among the players who have been discussed, although it is not certain he would be part of final deal, if completed. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 7, 2019
Here's more from Joe Fisaro of MLB.com:
The trade may depend on whether pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez is part of the deal. A source told MLB.com on Wednesday that Sanchez is viewed as a "must" to be included in a trade package for Realmuto.
Earlier this week, the Phillies re-engaged with Miami regarding Realmuto. Miami, per sources, also is in talks with the Reds, Padres, Dodgers, Braves and Rays. ...
The Phillies have expressed interest in Realmuto as far back as last July.
Earlier in the offseason, the Phillies also were engaged. 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). [mlb.com]
In the time since that report, several other writers have also reported that a deal could be close to being finalized, and it would likely include Sanchez, as well as catcher Jorge Alfaro.
Hearing the same as others -- Phillies moving toward deal for Realmuto. Could be done today. Sixto Sanchez, Jorge Alfaro and prospect will go to Miami. Alfaro was not on field in CLW today. He had been in previous day.
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyNBCS) February 7, 2019
Hearing #Phillies are making strong inroads toward Realmuto. If it gets done Sixto Sanchez and Jorge Alfaro are said to be key pieces. Third pieces discussed include Mickey Moniak, Adam Haseley, Adonis Medina. Heard it is NOT at the finish line yet. Still working #Marlins
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 7, 2019
Two of the rival teams previously involved in trade talks with the #Marlins for catcher J.T. Realmuto now expect the #Phillies to land him. Catcher Jorge Alfaro will definitely be in the deal, and possibly Sixto Sanchez, too.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 7, 2019
#Phillies view Realmuto, if acquired, as another potential enticement for Harper or Machado. Obviously, the biggest enticement will be money. https://t.co/N2R1wgL29U
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 7, 2019
Sanchez, the Phillies top ranked prospect and the 27th overall according to MLB.com, finished an injury-shortened season with Clearwater (High A) with a 4-3 record and a 2.51 ERA in 46 2/3 innings. Realmuto, meanwhile, made his first All-Star appearance while posting a .277 average to go with a career-high 21 home runs and 74 RBI.
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