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New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen has had discussions with several teams about potential trade scenarios that, in the end, would send star catcher J.T. Realmuto to the Big Apple, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, who adds that they’ve discussed two- and three-team trades.
#Mets discussing multiple two- and three-team scenarios involving Realmuto and others, sources say. Team continues to place premium on their SP; would move Syndergaard only for big return. Tyson Ross signed today for $5.75M. Syndergaard will not cost much more in 2019.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2018
One of those trade offers is a three-team trade scenario involving the Mets, Miami Marlins, and New York Yankees. Brodie Van Wagenen has said he is open to trading with the crosstown Yankees, which would be the first time the Mets trade with the Yankees since 2004, per Rosenthal.
#Mets have discussed trade in which they would land J.T. Realmuto in three-team deal with #Yankees and #Marlins, sources tell The Athletic. Not known if Syndergaard involved. NYM would not part with Syndergaard (three years control) if getting only Realmuto (two years) in return.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, 2018
Although a three-team trade involving both of the New York baseball teams is big news, New York Post’s Joel Sherman suggests that negotiations between the Mets and Yankees haven’t progressed as much as negotiations in other trade scenarios.
As of now 1 involved person describes 3-way talks between #Yankees #Mets #Marlins as lot of smoke not a lot of fire. NYY have thought Mia hesitant to deal with them, though in scenario laid out by @Ken_Rosenthal the NYM would get Realmuto from Miami.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 11, 2018
The Mets have been very busy already this offseason under Brodie Van Wagenen, who hopes to turn the Mets organization around and produce a winning season. He’s completed one trade so far, as he acquired Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz from the Seattle Mariners in a seven-player deal.
Now, the Mets appear to be the front-runner for Realmuto. Van Wagenen won’t rule out trading pitcher Noah Syndergaard, but if he does, he wants more in return than just Realmuto.
Obviously, the Yankees are not a guarantee to be involved this trade, but if they are, it seems pretty obvious that they’d be the team getting Syndergaard, given their need for a starting pitcher.
It’s worth noting that, before becoming the general manager of the New York Mets, Van Wagenen was actually Syndergaard’s agent. There has been speculation that, because of this, Van Wagenen knows how much longer Syndergaard wants to stay in New York. If Syndergaard doesn’t want to stay beyond his current contract, it would make sense for Van Wagenen to trade him soon so he can get valuable assets in return to help build the future of baseball in the Big Apple.
The main reason the Marlins are shopping Realmuto is because he and his agent made it clear that the young catcher won’t sign an extension with Miami, a club in the middle of a large rebuild.
Realmuto played in 125 games this past season, slashing .277/.340/.484 and recording 132 hits. He also posted a career-high 21 homers and 74 runs batted in.
The catcher’s name came up on several occasions throughout many trade rumors last winter, but he stayed put, even after plenty of his best teammates, such as Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Dee Gordon, were traded.
The Mets’ current depth chart features Kevin Plawecki as the starting catcher, with Travis d’Arnaud as the backup.
The Mets want Realmuto. So they will do whatever they can do to get Realmuto. It’s hot stove season, everybody. The Winter Meetings are heating up.