NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen is reportedly working hard toward a deal that would bring All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto to Queens.
According to the New York Post's Joel Sherman, Van Wagenen is considering multiple scenarios to try to land the Marlins catcher. Among them is a three-team trade in which the Yankees would acquire Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard, WFAN baseball insider Jon Heyman reported.
There has indeed at least been talk of 3-way where Realmuto goes to Mets, Syndergaard to yanks. Not sure how likely this is. Seems like quite a gamble for mets — though there are more star rotation options out there than star catching options.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2018Talks are heating up because baseball's winter meetings are underway in Las Vegas this week. Van Wagenen had Mets Chief Operating Office Jeff Wilpon fly to Nevada so the Mets can potentially act faster.
"With as many different balls as we have in the air right, I felt like it was going to be strategically helpful to have him here with us and involved in many of the discussions that we're having, hopefully be able to contribute to some of the meetings we're having as well," Van Wagenen told reporters Monday.
Cashman has insisted Sanchez will be #Yankees catcher in '19. Yet, outside execs said they were engaged with #Marlins. This would explain it since NYY wouldn't be getting Realmuto in this scenario, but rather Syndergaard, though again involved people called this a long shot
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 11, 2018It's unclear what Miami might be getting back in the proposed three-way deal, although previous reports have said they are seeking at least one controllable major league asset. Talks with the Dodgers give some insight into the Marlins' price tag -- they have asked for 23-year-old All-Star first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger plus prospects, according to Sherman.
It's also not clear what the Yankees might be giving up.
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Realmuto, 27, hit .277 this year with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs. He is under team control through 2020.
"I think a lot of teams are talking to the Marlins," Van Wagenen said. "I think that I would anticipate his market picking up.
"Whether he gets traded, if the Marlins find the right package of players that they're looking for -- hard for me to assess what their asking price will ultimately be -- but we'll continue to have discussions with all the available catchers."
Syndergaard has been the subject of trade rumors for weeks now, but Van Wagenen tried to downplay that last week, saying there would have to be "very special circumstances for us to even consider" dealing the 26-year-old right-hander.
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Syndergaard went 13-4 with a 3.03 ERA and 155 strikeouts last season.
Van Wagenen told reporters Monday he's not interested in filling one hole on the roster if it means creating another. The Mets, however, could add an impact catcher and offset the loss of Syndergaard by signing a free agent starting pitcher.
A trade for Realmuto would already be the second big splash Van Wagenen has made since being hired in late October. Earlier this month, the former player agent acquired second baseman Robinson Cano and closer Edwin Diaz, both All-Stars, in a trade with the Mariners.
