Dodgers Rumor Round Up: Bryce Harper, JT Realmuto, Signings

The obligation and desire to report on JT Realmuto carries a far different motive than it does for Harper news. For Harper, the conversation was more based on ‘this used to be a thing and now, since it’s not, it may come back to bite the Dodgers’ whereas with Realmuto there is a legitimate shot they are still involved.

Realmuto has been reportedly on the verge of a trade for the last year and a half and the Marlins have been asking for a massive return for roughly the same amount of time. The best offensive catcher in baseball is available and there has been widespread interest in him. So, the Marlins chose to ask for an astronomical price that has prohibited any trade from happening so far.

But, recently, talks have dropped down into the realm of reasonable and the Dodgers are still involved although right now that appears to be minimally.

The Dodgers just acquired Russell Martin from the Blue Jays and still seem to be patiently contempt with Austin Barnes as a back-up. In other words, the Dodgers don’t have enough urgency to trade for a catcher to buy into the sweepstakes.

That being said, I think with time will come a much lower price for Realmuto. In my opinion the Marlins want him off the roster just as bad as he wants to leave and for that reason, a lack of action will cause the Marlins to continue to lower their standards.

Whether or not that trade is with the Dodgers, I’m not sure. As it stands right now the Dodgers are nowhere to be found. But, that can change in the blink of an eye and, unlike with Harper once more, I would not yet count the Dodgers out of the race.