MIAMI (AP) — In October http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-marcell-ozuna-jersey , J.T. Realmuto’s agent predicted the Miami Marlins‘ All-Star catcher would be with another team by spring training.He was right.he Marlins traded Realmuto on Thursday to the Philadelphia Phillies for catcher Jorge Alfaro, two pitching prospects and $250,000 in international signing bonus pool allocation.Along with Alfaro, the Phillies gave up 20-year-old right-hander Sixto Sanchez, their top prospect, and left-hander Will Stewart.“This is about us acquiring the best catcher in baseball,” Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said, “and we’re really excited about that.”Realmuto, who turns 28 in March, had been with the Marlins longer than any other current player. His agent Orlando Cepeda Jersey , Jeff Berry, predicted a trade after Realmuto informed the Marlins last fall he wouldn’t sign a long-term contract with them.The Marlins got the deal done six days before their pitchers and catchers report to spring training. A rebuilding project for the perennial also-rans will probably continue for several years under CEO Derek Jeter, whose group bought the franchise after the 2017 season.“We did not have to trade J.T.,” president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. “But our goal is to build a long-term sustainable championship organization.”The deal could vault the Phillies into playoff contention, and they’re still pursuing free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado . They bolstered their lineup earlier with the additions of shortstop Jean Segura and 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen .The Phillies had the worst batting average in the major leagues last year (.234) and were third in strikeouts (1,520). They led their division with the second-best record in the NL one week into August, then went 16-33 over the final 49 games and finished with a losing record (80-82) for the sixth consecutive season.The Marlins had been talking for months with numerous teams about a Realmuto trade before deciding to send him to their NL East counterparts.“We’re talking about the best catcher in all of baseball, so of course he was popular,” Hill said.Alfaro is expected to replace Realmuto as Miami’s starting catcher. He hit .262 with 10 homers in his first full major league season last year and showed a strong arm, but had 11 errors and 10 passed balls.Sanchez, a Dominican with a 100-mph fastball and excellent command Keith Hernandez Jersey , has a 2.48 ERA in 48 minor league games over four seasons.“In Sanchez we saw a front-of-the-rotation starter,” Hill said. “Electric stuff — a pitcher we think can develop and lead a championship rotation.”Sanchez pitched just 46 2/3 innings in Single A last season due to right elbow inflammation, but Hill said the Marlins are “extremely comfortable” about his health. He’s expected to start this year in Double-A, and Stewart will begin in Single-A.Realmuto was a first-time All-Star in his fourth season last year. He hit .277 and set career highs with 21 homers, 74 RBIs and an OPS of .825.Klentak also his defense and impact on the clubhouse are also a plus.“We have heard outstanding things about J.T. and his work ethic and his makeup and his leadership and the type of teammate he is,” Klentak said.Realmuto was in his second season of arbitration eligibility this winter. He will make $5.9 million in 2019, and can become a free agent after the 2020 season.Shortly before the trade was completed, the attendance-challenged Marlins announced a reduction in ticket prices, with seats available this season for as little as $10.The Marlins finished last in the NL East last year with a 63-98 record. They haven’t had a winning season since 2009 and haven’t been to the playoffs since winning the World Series in 2003. OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics caught Justin Smoak early, ending a wild sequence that began with another eye-popping play by center fielder Ramon Laureano.But the A’s couldn’t totally stop Smoak and the Toronto Blue Jays http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-marcell-ozuna-jersey , who finished off a three-game sweep with a 5-4 victory Sunday.“Over this road trip we finally started swinging the bats,” Smoak said after getting four hits, including a home run. “Hopefully we can continue to do that. If we do we’ll be in a better position to win some ballgames.”On a day when both starting pitchers needed to leave early with ailments, Laureano showed off the most impressive toss.Smoak led off the second inning with a single and Teoscar Hernandez followed with a long drive to center. Laureano made his way back to the wall and reached high to make the catch.The strong-armed Laureano, who has already nailed several runners this season, quickly recovered and aimed to get the retreating Smoak, unleashing a throw from the edge of the warning track.The peg sailed far over the head of first baseman Kendrys Morales and carried into the expansive foul territory at the Coliseum, one-hopping to near the dugout.Smoak tried to advance on the overthrow and was caught at second base by catcher Nick Hundley, who backed up the play.“I was really pumped up when I made that throw,” Laureano said. “I threw without thinking. That happens sometimes.”Blue Jays starter Aaron Sanchez was pulled after four innings because of a broken fingernail, a problem that has plagued him in the past.A’s starter Brett Anderson (3-1) sprained his left ankle coming off the mound trying to field Randal Grichuk’s single in the third.Oakland was swept at home by Toronto for the first time since 1993 after winning all seven games against the Blue Jays last season.Toronto posted its first road sweep of at least three games since 2015 and capped a 6-1 trip. The Blue Jays went 1-5 on their first road trip earlier this season.“It’s great how we’re playing the game Willie McGee Jersey ,” manager Charlie Montoyo said. “Our pitching’s been there the whole time but now that we’re swinging the bats we’re a lot better club. We’re playing great baseball.”Daniel Hudson (1-1) retired five batters. Ken Giles got four outs for his seventh save.The A’s scored three runs in the eighth and had two on with one out in the ninth before Giles struck out Josh Phegley and got Robbie Grossman to pop out.“We aren’t swinging at our best and they pitched pretty well on top of that,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said.Freddy Galvis added two hits and Alen Hanson singled, scored and had an RBI in his first game in the leadoff spot for Toronto.HISTORY REPEATS ITSELFIf Anderson has to pitch against Toronto again, he might want to call in sick. His ankle injury came less than a year after he sprained his shoulder the previous time he faced the Blue Jays on May 18, 2018.“I’ll be fine,” Anderson said. “I’ll come in tomorrow and see how it feels.”NOT WORRIEDSanchez said he doesn’t expect to miss his next start.“We have to see how it is in the next few days,” he said. “The good thing is we have a couple off days this week to give me some extra time to heal up.”TRAINER’S ROOMBlue Jays: Galvis left in the ninth inning three batters after making a sliding stop on Stephen Piscotty’s infield single. Richard Urena, who was called up from Triple-A Buffalo earlier in the day, replaced Galvis and made the catch for the final out.UP NEXTBlue Jays: RHP Trent Thornton (0-2, 5.40 ERA) faces the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday in Toronto following an off day. Thornton has allowed nine runs over his previous two starts.Athletics: RHP Chris Bassitt (0-0) makes his season debut in place of injured starter Marco Estrada against Texas on Monday.