LAS VEGAS (WFAN) -- The Mets are not out of the J.T. Realmuto sweepstakes, but a possible trade for the All-Star catcher appears to have lost momentum over the last 24 hours.
According to WFAN baseball insider Jon Heyman, the Mets have lost "a bit of confidence" in talks with the Marlins and starting to think more seriously about their Plan B.
Mets are to lose a bit of confidence in realmuto talks, and are starting to think about the value of acquiring a defensive catcher — they met on Maldonado Tuesday — and bulking up the bullpen instead.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2018The Mets have already met with catchers Wilson Ramos and Martin Maldonado at the winter meetings in Las Vegas, Heyman reported. Ramos, 31, batted .306 with 15 homers for the Rays and Phillies last season. The 32-year-old Maldonado, thought of more as a defensive catcher, hit .225 with nine homers for the Angels and Astros in 2018.
Yasmani Grandal, who batted .241 with 24 homers for the Dodgers last season, could be another possibility.
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The Mets seem to be the most aggressive team in pursuit of Realmuto, but Miami is reportedly seeking at least one controllable major league asset. To put their asking price into perspective, the Dodgers are also interested in Realmuto, but Miami has insisted on them including Cody Bellinger, Heyman reported. Los Angeles has been unwilling to part ways with the 23-year-old first baseman/outfielder who won NL Rookie of the Year in 2017.
According to the New York Post's Mike Puma, the Marlins are asking the Mets for 23-year-old shortstop Amed Rosario and another player, most likely outfielder Brandon Nimmo, who led the team in on-base percentage and OPS last season.
Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Monday he doesn't want to fill one hole on the roster while creating another.
The Braves, Yankees, Phillies, Astros and Padres are also in the mix for Realmuto, but Heyman noted that the Yankees might just be looking to flip him in a separate deal. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman reiterated Tuesday that he envisions Gary Sanchez being the team's catcher again in 2019.
"He's certainly someone that we've invested in and believe in and expect to be a part of this place moving forward," Cashman said.
There have been reports saying the Mets, Yankees and Marlins have discussed a possible three-way trade that would send Realmuto to Flushing and Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard to the Bronx.
