When, exactly, is the question. When the Marlins traded J.T. Realmuto to the Philadelphia Phillies prior to the 2019 campaign, they got in return talented starter Jorge Alfaro, top prospect Sixto Sanchez, and pitcher Will Stewart. Although Stewart hasn’t played himself onto anyone’s radar (yet), Sanchez may be ready for the big time, and Alfaro is an exciting backstop, if no Realmuto.
Alfaro is still 26-years-old, and under contract with the Marlins until the end of the 2023 season. If they were so inclined, they could retain Alfaro as their starting backstop for the four seasons until then, and groom the still 19-year-old Banfield (he turns 20 tomorrow) to join the club sometime as the backup likely in 2022.