Reds rumors: Cincinnati Reds in deep talks regarding J.T. Realmuto

The Reds rumors are heating up in the J.T. Realmuto sweepstakes. The Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins are said to be in “deep talks” for the All-Star catcher.

The Reds rumors regarding J.T. Realmuto may soon become a reality. The Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins are said to be in “deep talks” and a deal may be imminent. However, the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, and Atlanta Braves are all still in the hunt. What the Marlins are looking for in return appears to be coming more clear.

The Cincinnati Reds have been gaining momentum in the race to acquire Realmuto of late. With pitchers and catchers reporting in less than two weeks, it seems that the Marlins are readying to send their All-Star catcher out of town. Jeff Frisaro of MLB.com says that Tucker Barnhart and Jonathan India are part of a proposed package.

The Reds have been unwilling to move on from their Top 3 prospects (Hunter Greene, Nick Senzel, and Taylor Trammell), but India appears to be in play. He was the Reds first-round draft pick just last year and the No. 5 overall pick in the draft. India is currently ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Reds farm system and the No. 51 prospect in all of Major League Baseball.

Barnhart and India wouldn’t be the only pieces headed to South Beach. Frisaro reports that the Marlins are looking for 2-4 players in any potential deal, and that a few lesser prospects could also be on the table.

Realmuto has a salary of $5.9M for next season and is under team control for the following year as well, but can become a free agent in 2021. Tucker Barnhart, who’d likely be headed to Miami in any purposed deal, is under team control through the 2022 season.

Frisaro also reports that one of the biggest concerns for Miami is who would take Realmuto’s spot as the Marlins backstop in 2019. Barnhart solves that problem and may be why the Reds are the leading candidates for Realmuto’s services.

The Reds rumors regarding the team’s pursuit of Realmuto have been ongoing for a few weeks now. Perhaps, in the coming days, we’ll see and end to the rumors and an actual deal will be made. As hard as it is for some Cincinnati Reds fans to see Tucker Barnhart go, J.T. Realmuto is the best offensive catcher in the game today.