By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies already bolstered their starting shortstop position with an All-Star in Jean Segura, and are reportedly exploring to do the same for another position: not just third base with Manny Machado, or right field with Bryce Harper, but also catcher.
The Phillies have "joined the pursuit" of Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, albeit considered a "longshot," according to SiriusXM's Craig Mish on Tuesday.
Mish has been closely connected to Realmuto's trade candidacy. On Monday, he reported that the Marlins previously offered the Oklahoma native two contract extensions so far in 2018. Realmuto's representatives, per Mish, made a counteroffer, but then "pulled it off the table and never returned."
Marlins heard from 14 teams regarding star C JT Realmuto this winter, including 3 in division (all but Nats, who tried hardest last year). From Mets, top 2 targets would be Brandon Nimmo and Amed Rosario. Braves less likely since have Flowers/McCann, r targeting an OF, pitchers.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 4, 2018
The New York Mets, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Braves are among the teams to have shown interest in Realmuto, along with the now-rumored Phillies.
Mish tweets:
Add all of this up and it’s pretty evident [in my opinion] at this point JT being dealt to an NL East team is certainly possible if the Marlins price is met.
Realmuto, 27, earned his first All-Star nod and Silver Slugger Award this past season, after slashing .277/.340/.484 with 30 doubles, 21 home runs and 74 RBI spanning 125 games and 531 plate appearances. The five-year veteran committed just seven errors through 951 innings and 879 chances behind the plate, while also fielding a perfect 78 innings at first base.
The Marlins want "at least one controllable major-league asset" as the centerpiece for a Realmuto trade, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The Phillies' arbitration-eligible and now-expendable Maikel Franco and Cesar Hernandez, as well as Odubel Herrera, could potentially fit such asking price
With Carlos Santana traded to the Seattle Mariners, Realmuto could fill in for Rhys Hoskins at first base, when necessary. As of Tuesday, Hoskins is the only first baseman listed on the Phillies' official depth chart.
Realmuto played with both Santana and Hoskins on the MLB All-Stars team at the Japan All-Star Series last month.
The Mets reportedly wanted to complete a traded for Edwin Diaz with the Mariners because the Phillies were interested in the young closer. With the Mets closely linked to the Marlins catcher on Tuesday, the Phillies could "return the favor" and steal Realmuto from their division rival.
