It was just nine months ago that both the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals were part of as many as 15 major-league teams in pursuit of former Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto.
The Philadelphia Phillies wound up winning that bidding war but did not make the playoffs. The Astros were arguably baseball’s best team this season. The Nationals shocked everyone by taking down the Dodgers then the Cardinals on their way to the World Series.
The Marlins pursuit of 2020 began long before the 2019 season ended. It will continue into the off-season and as the team approaches Spring Training in Jupiter, Florida.