MIAMI -- Brian McCann's homecoming with the Braves has perhaps narrowed the market for J.T. Realmuto.
It's also another sign that the Marlins are holding firmly to their stance that they will seek a club's top prospect and more for their All-Star catcher.
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The Braves had been one of the clubs most mentioned as a potential landing spot for Realmuto, the 27-year-old Miami catcher who statistically made a case in 2018 that he is the best at his position.
At the General Managers Meetings earlier this month in Carlsbad, Calif., the Braves had exploratory talks with the Marlins regarding Realmuto.
Hard-throwing right-hander Mike Soroka is Atlanta's No. 1 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and he ranks 20th on Pipeline's Top 100 list.
On Monday, the Braves announced a one-year, $2 million deal with McCann, who played in Atlanta from 2005-13, hitting .277 with 176 home runs.
McCann spent the past two seasons with the Astros.
With McCann and Tyler Flowers under contract, it is doubtful the Braves are in the market for Realmuto.
The Dodgers, Astros and others remain realistic options for Realmuto, who has expressed he is not interested in signing a contract extension with the Marlins.
The Marlins and Braves had discussed Realmuto since last offseason. Then, Miami sought outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. in return. Acuna was the National League Rookie of the Year Award winner in 2018.
Earlier this month, the Nationals signed free-agent catcher Kurt Suzuki, who was with the Braves in 2018, after they explored interest in Realmuto.
Realmuto is arbitration-eligible for two more seasons, and he is eligible for free agency in 2021. The Marlins have repeatedly said they have no urgency to trade their best player.
Arguably the most athletic catcher in the league, Realmuto hit .277/.340/.484 with 21 home runs and 74 RBIs in 2018, and he was selected to his first All-Star Game.
Realmuto broke in with the Marlins in 2014, and he is the longest-tenured player on the active roster.