Report: Nationals interested in Marlins' Realmuto, Yelich
Miami Marlins stars Christian Yelich and J.T. Realmuto appear to be two of the most popular figures in the National League East.
In addition to the Atlanta Braves' apparent interest in the Marlins' pair, another division rival in the Washington Nationals are reportedly showing interest in both Yelich and Realmuto, according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.
Washington is reportedly open to either dealing for one of the two Marlins stars, or perhaps engineering a blockbuster deal to land both, per Frisaro, who added that a deal does not appear imminent.
Prying either star out of Miami won't be an easy task for the Nats, as the rebuilding Marlins are reportedly only willing to part with Realmuto and/or Yelich for a "huge overpay" of a return. That might hurt the Nationals' chances in these sweepstakes, as they have just three prospects ranked among MLB Pipeline's top 100.
Washington ran away with the NL East in 2017, but did so with no help from behind the plate. Its catchers produced a league-worst minus-1.1 wins above replacement as a unit, per Fangraphs. Matt Wieters, who joined the team in free agency last spring, struggled through the worst season of his career last year, yet is once again slated to be the team's starting catcher in 2018 after he exercised a $10.5-million player option earlier this winter.
Realmuto, whose 3.6 fWAR was tied for third-most among all catchers last season, would certainly represent an immediate upgrade over Wieters . He'd also come to D.C. with three years of control remaining, and is projected by MLB Trade Rumors to make just $4.2 million next season, his first year of arbitration eligibility.
Yelich, meanwhile, is playing on a team-friendly contract that runs through at least 2021, and would add another potent bat to an already dangerous Nationals lineup. He'd also give them a potential cushion in the outfield should Bryce Harper depart in free agency next winter.
A third NL East team, the Philadelphia Phillies, has also reportedly contacted the Marlins about Yelich this offseason.