Report: Marlins targeting Dodgers' top catching prospect in Realmuto talks
The Los Angeles Dodgers are still kicking the tires on a possible trade with the Miami Marlins that would bring All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto to Hollywood.
The Marlins are targeting Keibert Ruiz, the Dodgers' top catching prospect, sources tell Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.
The Dodgers could be in the market for an elite catcher after Yasmani Grandal signed a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. If they don't add anyone, the Dodgers will enter the regular season with the tandem of Austin Barnes and Russell Martin sharing duties behind the plate.
Realmuto will earn $5.9 million in 2019, and he's under team control through the 2020 campaign. The 27-year-old is scheduled to become a free agent ahead of the 2021 season.
Ruiz, 20, is ranked second in the Dodgers' farm system, and he's seen as the third-best catching prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. He played the entire 2018 season at Double-A, slashing .268/.327/.401 with 12 home runs and 47 RBIs in 101 games.
Though highly touted, the Dodgers could consider Ruiz expendable, as they also have 23-year-old backstop Will Smith rising through the system.
If a deal isn't reached, there will be no shortage of suitors to take the Dodgers' place in negotiations with the Marlins. The Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, and Houston Astros remain involved, and as many as 14 teams have expressed interest in the catcher at various points during the offseason.