J.T. Realmuto is a few weeks away from free agency a year after the Philadelphia Phillies completed a trade with the Miami Marlins for the catcher.

The Phillies traded Sixto Sanchez to the Marlins as part of the deal. The rookie right-hander helped lead Miami to the playoffs this season.

Owner John Middleton said Saturday that he was unhappy with the trade at the time. It was made by Matt Klentak, who stepped down as general manager.

"At the time it was being considered, my position was, I'd be willing to trade Sixto as long as you extend J.T. And if you don't extend J.T., I wouldn't trade Sixto," Middleton said. "Because we weren't at a point in the development of the team where the benefits that we were getting matched what we were giving up."

The Phillies have failed to extend Realmuto since acquiring him ahead of the 2019 campaign.