Advantage Miami Marlins. With Monday’s announcement that the Washington Nationals have inked free agent catcher Kurt Suzuki to a two-year deal, the number of teams that are interested in catcher J.T. Realmuto may have shrunk by one.
Might is the operative word here as the Nationals were believed to be one of the more aggressive teams last season in trying to acquire the first-time All-Star the major of the year. Now, with the former Atlant Braves catcher remains in the division and gives the Nationals a backstop who improves their lineup.
The move also should mean other teams, which include the Braves, will ramp up their offers for Realmuto, who has said he does not wish to remain in Miami on a long-term deal with the franchise.