Mattingly says he’s excited about new-look Marlins

After all the deals and departures, Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly says he’s enthused about the upcoming season. Really, he is.

“You probably think I’m crazy but I’m really excited about what’s going on,” Mattingly said Saturday during the team’s Fan Fest event at Marlins Park. “I can say it — look you right in the camera, look you right in the eye — I can tell you how excited I am to be here, and what we’re doing.”

This will be his third season guiding the club, and he’ll see a radically revamped roster without many stars when spring training begins this week. Soon after taking over last fall, the new Marlins’ ownership, overseen by majority partner Bruce Sherman and CEO Derek Jeter, traded half the club’s starting lineup in an attempt to dramatically cut payroll and build an organizational foundation.

Gone in exchange for prospects were reigning National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton, who hit 59 home runs, and fellow outfielders Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich. Also traded for additional minor leaguers was second baseman Dee Gordon, who hit .308, stole an NL-leading 60 bases in 2017 and won the league batting title in 2015.

There is also the possibility the Marlins are not done dealing and additionally slashing payroll. Catcher J.T. Realmuto and second baseman Starlin Castro, the only acquisition with extended major league experience and who joined Miami in the Stanton deal, reportedly have asked to be traded.