The newest Phillie, all-star catcher J.T. Realmuto, made his 94WIP debut on Wednesday morning.
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Imagine pairing Realmuto and the other new pieces like Jean Segura and Andrew McCutchen with a Bryce Harper or Manny Machado, both of whom are still free-agents. Harper, reportedly, "loves" Realmuto.
"It's crazy how in the dark everybody has been about these guys," Realmuto told Angelo Cataldi and the 94WIP Morning Show about Harper and Machado. "They're keeping everything pretty under raps and I've only been here for a couple of days, so obviously I'm not getting the scoop from Matt (Klentak) yet. I feel like we're pretty well equipped right now with the team we've got going out there, but obviously you add a guy like Harper or Machado into the mix and it just takes us over the top. We're cheering over here just as much as you guys, for one of those guys to sign with us. So we'll how that plays out, but we're excited about it."
Realmuto, 27, was acquired by the Phillies six days ago for Jorge Alfaro, plus prospects Sixto Sanchez and Will Stewart. Realmuto made it clear that he didn't want to waste away the prime of his career with the Marlins, a team not ready to win.
"It's pretty easy to sell me on Philadelphia," Realmuto explained. "Schneider actually, I don't know if you remember (former Phillie) Brian Schneider, he was my catching coach over in Miami. He was the first person I called when I got traded. He said, 'Man you're going to love it. The fans are the best. They're passionate. So from that conversation on, I've been nothing but excited to get there and play.
"That was really the only reason I wanted out of Miami. I want a chance a win. You never know how long you get a chance to play this game, so while I'm in my prime I wanted a chance to compete and go out and play for something."
You can listen to the full conversation between Realmuto and Cataldi below.
