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Colorado Rockies: The latest on the JT Realmuto sweepstakes

By Noah Yingling

BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 16: J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins hits a two-run homerun during the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 16: J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins hits a two-run homerun during the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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The Colorado Rockies have a few things that they need to address before they head to Spring Training in February. Considering at how the Rockies’ platoon of catchers in 2017 was not up to par, one of their biggest needs is perhaps a catcher.

The Colorado Rockies combination of Chris Iannetta, Tony Wolters, Tom Murphy, and Drew Butera were both lackluster at the plate and (with the exception of Wolters) defensively in 2018.

In general, the Rockies struggled offensively in 2018 and the team has already said that they plan on improving it this offseason.

One player that they can acquire to help that out is JT Realmuto of the Miami Marlins. We discussed the possibility of him on the market and the Rockies potentially acquiring Realmuto in this article last week.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic (among numerous other things) reported on Twitter that the Marlins are prepared to trade Realmuto. The Rockies are also one of a few teams that have inquired about Realmuto.

We have also heard some speculation on what it would take to acquire Realmuto.

Craig Mish of SiriusXM (who is based out of Miami) tweeted Wednesday morning about the Marlins asking price for Realmuto: it is a high end pitching prospect and a position player.

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For the Rockies, that would be comparable to the Rockies sending right-handed pitcher Peter Lambert (the Rockies #3 prospect according to MLB.com and MLB’s #99 prospect) and outfielder Raimel Tapia for Realmuto.

Another idea was floated out by Bowden on MLB Network Radio yesterday afternoon as he proposed that Lambert and Garrett Hampson to head to Miami for Realmuto (h/t Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post on Twitter).

For me, for a catcher that was the NL All-Star starter there last season and has averaged 133 games and 121 OPS+ in the last two seasons, I personally would do that deal.

It should also be noted that the Rockies would get two years of control of Realmuto before becoming a free agent. For this offseason in arbitration, MLB Trade Rumors is projecting that he will make $6.1 million for next season. If he were on the Rockies in 2019, that would put his salary as the 9th highest on the team.

Next. Ian Desmond might not play first base in 2019. dark

Even if the names were switched out for one of the other Rockies pitchers in their top ten prospects or so and a major-league ready position player, the Rockies should pull the trigger on that deal.

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