MLB Roundup 12/19: J.T. Realmuto would like to be traded

J.T. Realmuto wants out of Miami

The Marlins are in the midst of yet another fire sale — new owners, but same old organization. Giancarlo Stanton is in New York and Marcell Ozuna is in St. Louis, and now some of the other stars on the roster would like to play elsewhere as well. While Christian Yelich is still trying to decide what he wants, young catcher J.T. Realmuto is ready for a change. The Marlins young catcher is one of the best backstops in the entire league and if Miami does make him available they should be able to get a huge haul. Of course, they haven’t really succeeded at that yet this offseason. As for Realmuto himself, it’s hard to blame him for not wanting to be a part of that organization at this point. No one should be subjected to that. Looking at this from the Red Sox perspective, Realmuto would be an upgrade over their current crop of catchers even if you believe in Christian Vazquez’ offensive breakout to some extent. That being said, it’s hard to believe they really have the pieces to get it done and have it be worth it for the team. If the Marlins do decide to give in to Realmuto’s request some team will be very happy, but I’d be shocked if it’s the Red Sox.

• The Giants continue to scour the trade market for a replacement for old friend Pablo Sandoval, and right now the rumor is centered around Tampa’s Evan Longoria. The longtime face of the Rays being traded makes sense considering the likelihood they are looking at a rebuild, but according to reports the Giants would need Tampa to take back some salary in the deal. That....that doesn’t sound like a very Rays thing to do.
• Adrian Gonzalez, who was just recently traded to the Braves in a massive salary-influenced trade, has already been released. This is not much of a surprise, but it’s still a little sad. Gonzalez has an unfairly harsh reputation in Boston, and while I wouldn’t advocate they bring him back at this point in his career he is still one of the team’s better hitters of the last decade.