Milwaukee Brewers: Could they make a deadline deal with the Miami Marlins?

The Milwaukee Brewers and Miami Marlins managed to swing a deal during the off season. Could they come together for a trade at the deadline? If the Marlins want to get serious about their tear down, they just might.

The Miami Marlins don’t have much in the rotation that they could possibly trade. Their only reliever that should move on is Brad Ziegler. They are also still paying Starlin Castro a lot of money to play second base. Why would the Milwaukee Brewers look to swing a deadline deal with the Marlins again? Well, they do have a young catcher that would look great in a Brewers uniform?

How is J.T. Realmuto doing this season?

Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto is having a great season at the plate. He’s currently slashing .309/.371/.546 and has blasted nine homers in 50 games played. Realmuto is already worth 2.6 WAR, and is on pace to break his career high 3.6 mark.

He did miss the first few weeks of the 2018 season with a bone bruise in his back, but he’s certainly producing like he’s healthy. His early season back injury doesn’t seem like a concern moving forward.

Does Realmuto still want out?

Probably. Miami hasn’t gotten any better and the losing is getting old. Realmuto hasn’t voice any trade demands since the off season, but it’s more than likely that he wants to leave.

What would a deal look like?

Realmuto is still eligible for arbitration for the next two seasons. He’s not signed to a team-friendly deal, but he should cost far less than a 3.6 WAR catcher in his prime years.

The Milwaukee Brewers will have to send at least two or three real prospects to Miami to get Realmuto. Keston Hiura would likely go as a the centerpiece of the deal with Freddy Peralta and one other ‘not-a-bum’ to add a real difference maker to the Brewers for the stretch run and beyond.

Next: Could the Brewers make a deal with the Pirates?

It’s rare that deadline deals for catchers get completed. Outside of the various deals for Jonathan Lucroy, it’s hard to think of a difference maker at catcher getting dealt at the deadline. Catchers develop a rapport with pitching staffs and teams are  typically reluctant to deal them. The difference here is that the Milwaukee Brewers have a clear need, and the Miami Marlins are going to sell off any remaining players they can for prospects. Realmuto could move at the deadline. If the Brewers are going to be as aggressive as reported, they need to call about him.