MLB Trade Rumors: Reds 'Making a Push' for J.T. Realmuto Amid Dodgers Links

The Cincinnati Reds may be entering the sweepstakes for Florida Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, Fancred's Jon Heyman reported Monday.

According to Heyman, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are in the hunt for the 2018 All-Star and a third team—the Reds—is "making a push." He added Cincinnati might be hesitant to part with their three top prospects, Hunter Greene, Nick Senzel and Taylor Trammell.

The New York Mets were in hot pursuit of Realmuto earlier in the winter. According to SNY's Andy Martino, the Marlins offered to trade Realmuto for Noah Syndergaard, but the Mets turned Miami down. New York signed Wilson Ramos to a two-year, $19 million deal to eliminate the need for another veteran catcher.

The Reds have finished with a losing record in each of the last five seasons, but they're clearly itching to return to the postseason.

Cincinnati acquired Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood and Matt Kemp from the Los Angeles Dodgers in December. The team landed Sonny Gray earlier this month from the New York Yankees and then negotiated a three-year, $30.5 million extension with the right-hander.

Although Tucker Barnhart was a Gold Glove winner in 2017, Realmuto would be a clear upgrade behind the plate. Realmuto hit 21 home runs, drove in 74 runs and finished with a .484 slugging percentage in 2018. His 4.8 WAR ranked first among all catchers, per FanGraphs.

Even if they were unwilling to include Greene, Senzel or Trammell, the Reds could make Jonathan India the centerpiece of the trade. India ranks 51st among MLB.com's top 100 prospects.

Throwing Barnhart into the deal would also provide the Marlins with a ready-made replacement who they might be able to flip later. Barnhart is signed through 2022, which would provide Miami with long-term cost control and plenty of time to see his trade value rise.