It’s the trade that never ends, dating back to last offseason. So, you know, I’ll believe it when it finally happens, but it does seem like that might be close.
There is finally some legit progress on a Realmuto deal on my end. Most importantly, I am expecting him to be traded today.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) February 7, 2019
Have now heard from 2 sources that Realmuto to #Phillies is down to physical reviews and 3d piece beyond Alfaro/Sanchez. But I have NOT been told anything is final.
— 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
Realmuto finally being traded will have trickle-down impacts across the competitive spectrum, from improving the Phillies in the NL race, to pushing them perhaps to be even more aggressive on Bryce Harper/Manny Machado. You’ve also got the teams that missed out on Realmuto – the Reds, Dodgers, Padres, and Braves among them – having to readjust and make other arrangements. And then you’ve got any free agents out there who may have been on hold, pending the resolution of this deal (not just catchers like Martin Maldonado, but also maybe the big boys, given that they are being pursued by some of the same teams that were going after Realmuto – you just don’t know how those things intersect).
Long, long, long, long trade story short: when Realmuto is finally moved, I expect some other things will shake out relatively soon thereafter.
Of course, that’s supposed to be a safe bet anyway, given that Spring Training starts next week, for crying out loud!
UPDATE: At long last, it’s happening:
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
Now, let’s see what comes next.