Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Despite trade talk, Realmuto says sole focus is on season
MIAMI — J.T. Realmuto is a still a Miami Marlin — despite the team trading most of its other best players and despite the franchise catcher’s public preference for a trade.
And everybody seems to be OK with that.
“Obviously, there’s trade rumblings and people out there talking about it, but for me, I’m just getting ready to play the season,” Realmuto said Saturday during the team’s annual FanFest. “That’s all I can do. I’m ready to be here, get ready to play the season, whether it is in Miami or somewhere else. I’m just here to do my job and play baseball.
“That’s a conversation I’ve had with the Marlins. I never wanted that to be public in the first place. It’s become public. I’m going to keep that between me, [president of baseball operations Michael Hill] and the guys. No matter what happens, my job is to show up and play baseball. That’s what I’m go- ing to do.” Realmuto joined most of the rest
of the Marlins’ 40-man roster in the bowels of Marlins Park in hanging out with fans before spring training opens Wednesday. He said he has had multiple conversations with Hill and manager Don Mattingly — but none with CEO Derek Jeter — and indicated he very much intends on conducting himself professionally no matter what happens.
Don’t expect any holdouts or tantrums, deal or no deal.
“I’m going to show up and play and prepare the same way I have in the past,” Realmuto said. “Nothing is going to change in that aspect. So, for me, once the season gets going and we know where we’re at, we’ll have this behind us.
“No matter what happens, my job is to show up and play baseball. That’s what I’m going to do.”
The Marlins, embarking on a full-fledged rebuild this offseason, have dealt Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, Christian Yelich and Dee Gordon. Realmuto is the lone remaining major trade piece.
Hill, like Realmuto, said he preferred to keep the specifics of their conversations private.
“J.T. is a pro. He is here at FanFest. He’s ready to go,” Hill said. “He’s ready to have a great season. We’re excited to have him a part of what we’re doing.
“I expect him to be here Opening Day and be our catcher and be a productive member of the Miami Marlins.”
Second baseman Starlin Castro, who also reportedly expressed a desire to be traded shortly after the Marlins acquired him from the New York Yankees in the Stanton deal, said he was happy to stay.
“I’m really happy here,” Castro said. “I think it’s a good opportunity for me and my family. I see all those guys now and I think we have a good group.”
Dietrich’s in left
Derek Dietrich is penciled in as the Marlins’ starting left fielder, Mattingly said. The 28-year-old utility man has started 53 major league games at the position.
“He’s a guy who’s going to get a lot of at bats,” Mattingly said. “We also have some other guys we feel could also be possible platoon-type players. But being left-handed, you get the lion’s share of at bats. We think left field is where primarily he will start.”
Dietrich said he has been working out at the Marlins’ Roger Dean Stadium facility in Jupiter all offseason, and of late that has meant getting a lot of outfield work. In the past he has, for stretches due to injury, been a regular at third, second and first.
“Just let your athleticism take over,” Dietrich said. “You work on fundamentals like you do with any position. Any the end of the day, your athleticism and your help from your coaches and your teammates play a big role in performing out there.”
The starting gigs in center field and right field are up grabs. Among the candidates: prospects Lewis Brinson, Magneuris Sierra and Braxton Lee, plus non-roster invitee Scott Van Slyke.
Notable and quotable
Mattingly, on being the Marlins’ manager: “You probably think I’m crazy, but I’m really excited about what’s going on. I could look you right in the camera — look you right in the eye — and tell you how excited I am to be here.
“It’s kind of a coach’s dream, that you talk about building an organization from the bottom up and feeling like that’s going to happen, and you’re on the ground floor of something that’s going to be exciting.”
Odds & ends
Shortstop JT Riddle has been cleared for baseball activities following surgery on his left shoulder. He will take it slow to start spring training, but said he hopes to be “full go” by the second week of March. “There’s no reason to think that he won’t be ready to take the reins at shortstop come [Opening Day],” Hill said. … Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen has begun a throwing program and will be in the rotation if he is healthy, Hill said. Chen, who has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, started only five games last season and has been on the disabled list for half of his two seasons with Miami. … Righty Brad Ziegler is the Marlins’ closer, Hill said. Ziegler battled injury issues last season but finished the year in the ninth-inning role. … Justin Bour said he did not consider requesting a trade. “I’m enjoying my time here in Miami,” Bour said. “This is where I want to be. This is where I’m going to be until someone tells me otherwise.”