MLB Rumors: J.T. Realmuto's Next Stop Could Shake Up National League East

J.T. Realmuto will be one of the top free agents this MLB offseason, and multiple teams are being linked to the two-time All-Star.

After wrapping up his stint with the Philadelphia Phillies, the 29-year-old declined the Phillies' $18.9 million qualifying offer.

Realmuto is the best catcher available in the MLB free-agent market right now. Hence, several organizations are now in hot pursuit of the Del City, Oklahoma native, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals and New York Mets.

According to Craig Mish of the MLB Network, the Blue Jays are expected to explore their chances of landing a deal with Realmuto. He is deemed a good fit to the current mix that consists of Danny Jansen, Reese McGuire and Alejandro Kirk behind the plate.

It should be noted that all this is exploratory. If they are unable to acquire the services of Realmuto, other targets for Toronto include George Springer, Michael Brantley, Justin Turner and D.J. LeMahieu, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

The Nationals will also try their luck on Realmuto. It is worth noting that this will not be the first time that Washington would pursue the 2019 Gold Glove awardee.

The Mark Lerner-owned club held talks with the Miami Marlins two years ago but failed to get anything done. Rosenthal spoke on the Jayson Stark podcast that an unnamed league predicts the Nats pursuing Realmuto anew.

Kurt Suzuki is now a free agent, and there is a void behind the plate that Realmuto could fill. Yan Gomez is still around but is seen as more of a backup player for now.

The Mets also need some help behind the plate, making the chase for Realmuto sensible. However, that would depend on who New York prioritizes. Other names on their list include George Springer, Trevor Bauer and Francisco Lindor.

Springer would be hard to pass up, and there is that option of trading for Lindor. The Mets are expected to be a recurring subject in the MLB rumor mill moving forward.

Aside from being one of the best catchers any MLB squad could get right now, Realmuto is also seen as a player who is balanced on both sides.

While he gets the job done on both ends, there are not notable peaks and valleys to his game. But Realmuto is someone who can be efficient for any MLB franchise that wants help in practically anything on the field.