MLB trade rumors: More chatter around Yankees’ pursuit of Marlins’ J.T. Realmuto?

More dots continues to connect the Yankees to a possible pursuit of Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto.

The Yankees still have a ton to play for in 2018, but it’s never too early to envisioning how the 2019 team could look.

While this season has been undoubtedly successful, questions continue to loom over the true star power of Gary Sanchez behind the plate and Greg Bird at first base. In the case of Sanchez, rumors have connected the Yankees to a possible upgrade when the offseason begins: Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto.

Recently, Joel Sherman of the New York Post added to that rhetoric by mentioning a possible Yankees pursuit of Realmuto–and moving Sanchez to first base.

Would the Yankees invest even more prospect capital to try to land Stanton’s former Marlins teammate, J.T. Realmuto, or to find a catcher? Or can Sanchez, 26 in September, recapture his offense and make upgrades on his defense?

Sanchez also could be given a first baseman’s mitt. So could Miguel Andujar, who has been challenged defensively at third. Or perhaps Luke Voit will prove he is having more than a Shane Spencer-ish Yankees debut and grab first base.

These are hypotheticals, but interesting nonetheless.

Yankees mailbag

Would the best Yankees team in 2019 run back Sanchez as an everyday catcher and give Bird one more chance at first base? Is Voit the real deal? Or could a true pursuit of Realmuto (perhaps using Sanchez as trade bait) be the route the Yankees take?

The Yankees enter enter play on September 10 with an 89-54 record.

Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.