The Pittsburgh Pirates have just hit the trade season with a backdoor slider. For a while, it seemed like Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto would soon have a new home with the Baltimore Orioles. But, according to insiders, Pirates’ owner Bob Nutting might be swooping in to acquire the veteran catcher instead.

“A recent catching storyline/talking point with the Pirates involves the best all-around catcher of this era, J.T. Realmuto, who leads all MLB backstops since his debut year (2014) in fWAR with 36.7,” writes Pirates insider Jason Mackey. “Realmuto is certainly the type of player the Pirates need. A position player who’s been around and has strong leadership qualities.”

But is it going to be a walk in the park as it seems? Realmuto demands top dollar. His last contract, a whopping 5-year, $115.5 million deal, was fully guaranteed. As he hits free agency in 2026, his next contract would have to reflect his elite skill set. There is a particular price Nutting might be willing to pay to get Realmuto, but there’s a catch.

“The Pirates would likely have to offer a three-year contract because they’re the Pirates,” adds Mackey. “And north of $45 million is probably too risky for a 34-year-old catcher with a declining trend line.”

Well, that’s true. Back in ‘22, Realmuto’s OPS was .820, but since then, there has been a steady drop in performance. It was .762 in ‘23, and .700 last season. But Realmuto’s durability is undeniable. And $45 million seems to be the limit of what Bob Nutting would shell out if Realmuto joins Pittsburgh.

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But here’s the thing. Realmuto might not really want to move away from Philly, even if they are leaving him hanging right now. He has already tasted the winning culture there. But if he stays in Philly, or ends up joining the Pirates, what happens to the Orioles’ trade strategies?

Orioles’ moves if the Realmuto plan doesn’t pan out

Baltimore handed top catching prospect Samuel Basallo a massive extension this offseason. The Phillies, meanwhile, are dealing with bloated contracts threatening to break their bank. Getting star catcher Adley Rutschman from Baltimore in exchange for Realmuto could be a likely move in that case. Rutschman’s recent offense and injuries have dropped his stock, making him a prime trade candidate. But, as always, there’s a catch.

The Orioles lost veteran Gary Sanchez to free agency recently, and trading Rutschman would create a big hole if they cannot get Realmuto to fill in. Altogether, Baltimore’s catcher decisions directly affect Philadelphia’s and Pittsburgh’s plans, turning the position into a hot commodity this offseason.

With the trade market shifting, what can the Orioles do to fix their catcher woes if they can’t get Realmuto? Free agency and trades offer slim pickings. For a while, it looked like Salvador Perez might be an option. But that door was closed once he signed an extension deal with the Kansas City Royals. Now, the Orioles must try and negotiate some smart trades to try and acquire an effective catcher.   

Each team has its own difficulties in signing players who can be an asset to the team. But if Bob Nutting does indeed steal Realmuto, things could result in the Baltimore team spending more than their planned budget to find a perfect catcher. Will Bob Nutting ruin the Orioles’ plans? Share your thoughts in the comments.