Realmuto question still has no answers
Mattingly on trade rumors: ‘I look at him as part of our club’
LAS VEGAS — It only took a few questions before manager Don Mattingly was asked about the elephant in the room.
What’s J.T. Realmuto’s future with the Miami Marlins?
That’s been the No. 1 question surrounding the organization this offseason.
Although the All-Star catcher still has two years left on his contract, his agent has publicly said Realmuto won’t sign an extension with the team, leading to heavy speculation about whether Miami will deal him before next season.
Speaking to reporters on the first day of MLB winter meetings in Las Vegas, the Marlins manager addressed the situation, saying he still views the 27-year-old as part of the team’s future.
“I look at him as part of our club,” Mattingly said. “I think everyone’s been pretty up front with how we feel about J.T. publicly, privately, personally with him. He knows how much we like him and what we think about him. He’s handling everything fine. J.T.’s a tough kid. He’s a big-time leader.
“It’s why we love him. It’s why a lot of teams love him.They hear the news or the narrative about him. And it’s all true. This is a tough kid that’s not really bothered by anything. He just comes to play. And so I think he’s doing fine with everything.”
Realmuto is coming off his best season, hitting .277/.340/.484 with 30 doubles, a career-high 21 home runs and 74 RBI in 125 games as he established himself as arguably the best catcher in baseball.
Mattingly and Realmuto spent extended time together this offseason as the two of them both participated in the MLB Japan AllStar Series. Managing the MLB team, Mattingly coached the catcher during the exhibition, which ran from Nov. 8-15.
During that time, however, Mattingly said there were no talks about Realmuto’s future in Miami.
“It was playing baseball,” Mattingly said.
“I think J.T. knows how we feel about him. J.T.’s been pretty up front the way he feels about things. So there was no reason to get into huge conversations about it. And so it was pretty much just enjoying the trip. It was a great time. It was one of those trips you’re going, you’re having fun playing. It’s a great experience for everyone. A lot of families, kids, things like that. So it was really more of almost like an ambassador-type trip and just a lot of fun.”
Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill wouldn’t offer any specifics Monday night regarding the trade rumors surrounding Realmuto, but said there was “significant interest” from other teams.