The Mets are in dire need of a long-term, everyday catcher that can hit, deal with the pressure of New York and handle the team's pitching staff. This is why, if Sandy Alderson intends to change the complexion of the team via trade this summer, I'd like for him to find a way to get Marlins C J.T. Realmuto.

Unfortunately, to make that happen, multiple team insiders say four things need to happen...

The Marlins need to commit to trading him.
There needs to be a continued lack of demand for his services.
The Brewers and Phillies need to lose interest in him.
And, lastly, the Mets need a third team to add prospects to the deal.

Devin Mesoraco has had a positive impact since being acquired from the Reds for Matt Harvey in early May. In the 25 games played since joining the Mets, he's batting just .219 with five home runs. However, in that time, the pitching staff went from having a 4.88 ERA with Tomas Nido and Jose Lobaton to having a 3.22 ERA at the hands of Mesoraco. So, I respect his ability to push the pitching staff, but the lineup does and will probably always need more production than he can provide.

This past off season, Mets and Marlins sources repeatedly said the their teams were not a good match for Realmuto because Alderson lacked the caliber prospects to get a deal done.

I've also heard from people that have asked about him who are not convinced the Marlins intend to deal Realmuto anyway, or at least not until they have a good read on prospects acquired during last winter's firesale. Miami is currently on pace to win 62 games this season, which, as low as that is, is actually more than expected heading in to this season.

At the same time, the Marlins believe the kids acquired last winter are on pace to make big-league noise sooner than later.

If that's the case, and if the Marlins think they can finish above .500 at some point in the next few years, it might make more sense for them to keep Realmuto, who could be the veteran leader needed in the young clubhouse, while also serving as father of their next-great pitching staff.

That said, if he can be had, man, oh, man, he'd be perfect for Mickey Callaway, pitching coach Dave Eiland and every pitcher on their staff.

This is where Noah Syndergaard comes in to play, especially if The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal is right in reporting that Alderson will listen to such offers. I assume young SS Amed Rosario and 1B prospect Peter Alonso are in Alderson's long-term plan for the Mets, which is why a third team may be needed to facilitate any trade with Miami.

Syndergaard, as well as Jacob deGrom, may be his only way to provide Miami enough young talent to swing a deal, which assumes the Marlins even want to make a trade before this winter.

By asking teams currently interested in Syndergaard and deGrom to send multiple top prospects to Miami -- not New York -- the Marlins would hopefully net a fair return for their catcher, who would get pushed to the Mets. Otherwise, I just don't think Aldeson currently has enough young talent to get a deal done, even if including Rosario and Alonso.

Matthew Cerrone (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Contact) is lead writer of MetsBlog.com, which he created in 2003. He also hosts the MetsBlog Podcast, which you can subscribe to here. His new book, The New York Mets Fans' Bucket List, details 44 things every Mets fan should experience during their lifetime. To check it out, click here!

Popular in the Community