Phillies rumor: Team doesn’t “have enough” to acquire J.T. Realmuto

The latest Phillies rumor suggests they’re out on the best catcher in baseball

Another Phillies rumor has surfaced during the winter meeting and it suggests they’re no longer in play for catcher J.T. Realmuto.

Jim Salisbury of NBCS Philadelphia reported Tuesday evening that a source told him Philadelphia doesn’t “have enough” to acquire the Marlins star catcher.

As recently as Tuesday afternoon several national baseball writers linked the Phillies to Realmuto, who is reportedly unhappy with the Marlins rebuild.

While the division rival Mets have reportedly been the most aggressive team in the Realmuto sweepstakes Jon Heyman and Jon Morosi both tweeted that the Phillies were involved in trade discussions.

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Adding Realmuto has always felt like a reach for the Phillies with Jorge Alfaro still projected to be the catcher of the future. The Marlins likely don’t want to face Realmuto several times a season, and the Phillies likely feel the same about whatever players are being discussed in trade talks.

Philadelphia and Miami did complete a minor trade last summer for Justin Bour, so there is a working connection between the two front offices. However, a trade of this magnitude would cost Philadelphia more than a low-end prospect like the Bour deal did.

Additionally, Realmuto’s right-handed bat wouldn’t help balance a lineup already right-handed heavy. After adding Andrew McCutchen the Phillies are expected to push for a power-hitting lefty, most notably Bryce Harper.

Getting Realmuto is a fun thought, but it’s apparently unlikely Matt Klentak pulls this deal off.