Los Angeles Angels: Four offseason steps to return to playoffs in 2019
By Jason Reed
2. Trade for J.T. Realmuto
The Miami Marlins went on a bit of a flash sale last winter under the new ownership led by Derek Jeter. Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna were all dealt away from Miami, leaving J.T. Realmuto and others on a very young Marlins team.
Realmuto is now the trade chip with the most value for Miami and it makes the most sense to trade him this offseason rather than wait. With more than one year of team control on his contract and a free agent class that is not deep at all, Realmuto could be one of the MLB’s most valuable assets.
The Los Angeles Angels need help at the catcher position but the options available are not great. Sure, the team could go get someone like Wilson Ramos, but an injury is always a concern. Guys like Yasmani Grandal are too inconsistent and the rest of the viable options aren’t great ones to overpay for.
However, Realmuto is still only 27 years old and is one of the best offensive catchers in baseball. Realmuto hit .277 last season 21 home runs and 74 RBIs to earn his first all-star appearance. This came on a pretty bad Marlins team.
The Angels have the prospects to get Realmuto without needing to send the top prospect, Jo Adell. The Angels struck gold last season in getting Kevin Maitan after the Braves had to forfeit him. Maitan has fallen down the prospect lists and with Andrelton Simmons and fellow prospect Jahmai Jones, there might not be a spot for Maitan.
Packaging Maitan with another respectable prospect, such as right-handed pitcher Griffin Canning and a young catcher should be enough to make this deal possible.