J.T. Realmuto
The Los Angeles Dodgers remain interested in J.T. Realmuto although the Miami Marlins are in no rush to deal. Pitcher Kirby Yates #39 of the San Diego Padres and Catcher J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins talk after allowing a RBI single to Outfielder Seiji Uebayashi #51 of Japan to make it 3-2 in the top of 9th inning during the game four between Japan and MLB All Stars at Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium Hiroshima on November 13, 2018 in Hiroshima, Japan. Getty Images/Kiyoshi Ota

The Miami Marlins and the Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly still discussing a potential trade deal for catcher J.T. Realmuto. And if sources are correct, the player that the Dodgers have their sights on is Keibert Ruiz.

This MLB offseason has seen on-and-off discussions on a potential deal involving Realmuto. Aside from the Dodgers, several other teams have also expressed interest on the 27-year-old catcher. Among the teams in play include the Rays, Padres, Astros, Braves, and Reds, MLB.com reported.

So far, nothing has gone down. And from the looks of it, the Marlins are willing to wait for the best offer for Realmuto. In another report from MLB.com, Marlins president of business operations Chip Bowers said that it will take a lot to get Realmuto.

“It's going to take a lot to get J.T. out of this organization. I don't think we would make a deal unless we felt like it was going to [help] win a World Series, just as much it would if we kept J.T. Realmuto. He's certainly a great guy," Bowers said.

And the latest on that is the Marlins want a top prospect outside the financial package surrounding the prized catcher. From the looks of it, that top prospect could be Ruiz. The 20-year-old is actually the no. 2 prospect of the Dodgers, a switch-hitter who is getting close to being big league ready. At Double-A last year, Ruiz had a slash line of .268/.328/.401 with 12 home runs and 47 RBIs.

As of this writing, it remains to be seen if talks will bear fruit. As to why Miami is not in a rush to deal off Realmuto, a reason is believed to be because they have a lean catcher position. Aside from Realmuto, only Chad Wallah is the other reliable player on the roster. They do have 19-year-old Will Banfield, although he may be still years away from being ready.

The interest in Realmuto may come as a surprise considering the Dodgers had already acquired Russel Martin from the Toronto Blue Jays a few days ago. But as mentioned earlier, the roster of catchers is a concern for Los Angeles, a reason why they want one more credible player to add to the bullpen.

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