Phillies

Phillies Shouldn’t Deal Sixto Sanchez For J.T. Realmuto

By Bob Wankel

Published: Feb 6th, 2019 · 3:36 PM EST

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Word emerged yesterday afternoon the Phillies had recently re-entered the J.T. Realmuto sweepstakes after it seemed the Marlins’ asking price was too steep earlier this winter. According to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro, the asking price remains steep:

The #Marlins latest … Source: Sixto Sanchez a 'must' in J.T. trade with #Phillies #MLB #Dodgers #Braves #Rays #Padres #Reds
https://t.co/sXTH0wD5zd

— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) February 6, 2019

From Frisaro:

Along with Sanchez, the Marlins are eyeing several other Phillies prospects. It has also been speculated that catcher Jorge Alfaro could be part of the deal because Miami would need a replacement for Realmuto. However, that has not been confirmed.

Adding a player like Realmuto would be a great get for the Phillies. He is a legitimate all-star catcher that swatted 54 extra-base hits in only 531 plate appearances a season ago, and don’t overlook that he put up those numbers on a brutal team while playing half his games in front of, I don’t know, an average of 600 fans per night in a pitcher-friendly stadium. Under team control through the 2020 season, Realmuto would undoubtedly provide an upgrade from what the Phillies currently have in Jorge Alfaro. Plus, the move would FINALLY bring some action to what has been an otherwise excruciating offseason for Phillies fans as they continue to wait on the fates of Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. Something, anything to generate some excitement would be welcomed, but this isn’t the move.

It’s not that Sanchez should be untouchable, but I don’t view the upgrade from Alfaro to Realmuto worth the value of the Phillies’ top overall prospect. Look at it this way. At Realmuto’s peak value, he’s probably a three-win upgrade from Alfaro. Is that move, with a roster that’s not yet a viable contender sans Harper/Machado, worth punting on a 20-year-old pitcher that has elite front-end starter potential, or selling short on what such potential could fetch in return? That’s a no for me.