Report: Nationals, Marlins execs meet to discuss Realmuto deal

The Washington Nationals seem to be leaning toward buying at the trade deadline as opposed to selling.

Days after a report suggested Nationals ownership was pushing general manager Mike Rizzo to sell with the team floating around the .500 mark, it appears that Washington has re-engaged on one of its most sought-after trade targets: Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto.

Executives from the Nationals and Marlins are in Miami discussing a trade for the All-Star catcher, sources told Craig Mish of Sirius XM, who reports Washington is now willing to move prized outfield prospect Victor Robles.

It's not clear how much more it might take to pry Realmuto away from the Marlins, Mish adds, considering the backstop is one of the game's best catchers and remains under team control through 2020.

Realmuto's 2018 stats

Washington apparently demonstrated interest in Realmuto before the season even began. The 27-year-old reportedly wanted a trade from Miami following the offseason departures of his now-former teammates Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna, and Dee Gordon.

The Marlins may want to keep Realmuto, however. He was reported to be a potential extension candidate in early July.

Related - Report: Marlins want to keep Realmuto, could offer long-term deal

Robles, ranked as the No. 5 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, missed three months of action this season with a hyperextended left elbow, but recently completed a rehab assignment and went 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored for Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.

The emergence of 19-year-old Rookie of the Year candidate Juan Soto might have made Robles more expendable in a possible Realmuto deal.