GOING FISH: JT REALMUTO NEXT!

(July 27, 2017 - Source: Eric Espada/Getty Images North America)

Just to update you all on the dismantling of the Florida Marlins... a story I LOVE and yes, a story I am obsessed with. I admit that.

The Nationals are now 'all in' to try and get catcher JT Realmuto from the Marlins.  And trust me when I tell you, I have no doubt it will happen... perhaps by the end of the weekend.

The Marlins just traded away Christian Yelich, a real solid, real underrated ballplayer to the Brewers for 4 prospects.  No question it came at Yelich's request, no doubt extremely frustrated at the destruction of the Marlins team all around him. 

Photo: Getty Images

Now look, you can't blame Yelich. He is not a selfish player at all. But when you have guys like Dee Gordon, Stanton and Ozuna get shipped out, it's not a matter of wanting to stay with the Marlins team anymore... it's a matter of knowing that you are part of a re-build.  I'm sure Yelich loved the other Marlins players that were left behind with him. But that's not what it's about it. 

Source: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images North America

For Yelich, for Realmuto... maybe for even Justin Bour... it's about wanting to WIN and having that chance sooner rather than later.  The team left behind after Dee, Ozuna and Stanton were traded is not a winning team.  That's why Yelich and Realmuto asked for trades.  That's why Yelich is gone now.  That's why Realmuto may go to the Nats soon if it all works out.

MLB Daily Dish writes:

Source: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America

"The Nationals are making the strongest push to acquire Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, according to Craig Mish of SiriusXM. Though they’ll pay Matt Wieters $10.5 million in 2018, the Nationals could use an upgrade behind the plate after Wieters posted a career-worst .225/.288/.344 slash line with 10 homers while struggling defensively in 2017...

Realmuto is under club control through 2020, so the price to acquire him will presumably be pretty steep, but that shouldn’t be too tough of an issue for the Nationals, especially since they have plenty of near-major-league-ready depth in the outfield, where the Marlins are currently the weakest after trading Stanton, Ozuna, and Yelich and letting fourth outfielder Ichiro Suzuki walk."

I bet this happens.  Trust me, Jeter and the Marlins owners want young and pieces they can build up all while getting the payroll down.  They'll make it happen.

Source: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images North America)

But yeah, this is a major team breakup, bound to destroy any Marlins fans hopes.  Will they one day soon come back? Sure... but right now, for the fans, this has got to hurt like hell.

On a personal note, I am thrilled that I got to see a few games with the Marlins this season.  Once in the city of Miami for a great game against the Braves, and a double header in Philly this summer.  I liked watching this team play.  I liked the players, my son made the Marlins his NL team.  But now... this changes a lot of us too.

All I can say to the Marlins fans is stay strong.  Jeter and the owners DO have a plan.  It's just that you're not in it right now.  But long term, this will hopefully benefit you all.