Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto will "definitely" be playing elsewhere next season, his agent told MLB Network Radio Tuesday.
The All-Star catcher is under team control for the next two seasons, but agent Jeff Berry said his client has made it clear to the Marlins he wants out.
“I think he will definitely be wearing a different uniform by the start of spring training,” Berry said (via the Miami Herald).
The Marlins got rid of several of their best players, including Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich, last offseason, infuriating fans. The team's venture into a long rebuilding process led Realmuto to request a trade. He's still under team control for two more years, but Berry seemed to make it clear Realmuto will not sign an extension and wants out, and it's in the Marlins' best interests to oblige him.
“J.T. has informed the Marlins’ ownership, he’s informed their front office, he’s not going to sign an extension in Miami,” Berry said. “It makes sense, when you have one of the more valuable trade assets in baseball, to move him. Period.”
The 27-year-old catcher made the All-Star team for the first time in 2018, hitting 21 home runs with a .825 OPS. Miami finished with the worst record in the NL at 63-98.