MIAMI -- For parts of five seasons, Justin Bour was a core player for the Marlins. The 30-year-old first baseman hoped his status would have remained that way, but on Aug. 10, he was traded to the Phillies for pitching prospect McKenzie Mills.
Bour returned to Marlins Park for the first time on Monday with Philadelphia, a club chasing the Braves for first place in the National League East.
"Everyone has a common goal to make it to the playoffs," Bour said before the series opener at Marlins Park. "It's been a fun and easy transition."
As he continues to adjust from starting with the Marlins to a bench role with the Phillies, Bour noted he understands the business of the game.
"I never really asked to go," Bour said. "I wanted to be part of that turnaround. I wanted to be part of Miami, but it's a business. You understand it. For me, I still keep in touch with most of the guys, and check the box scores and see how everyone is doing. I know they're grinding and playing hard every day."
Bour appeared in 112 games with the Marlins this season, belting 19 home runs and driving in 54.
The Marlins moved Bour because the organization is targeting more athleticism across the board. Bour is more of a left-handed power threat.
"J.B. has it absolutely right," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "There is a business to it. I think you're trying to use the crystal ball and look into the future, and see what type of player that you want. J.B. could have been a very good fit in four years or three years, whatever it is. But, right now, we've talked about being more athletic, being able to play with some speed and some pace. That's not necessarily J.B.'s game. But, obviously, we know he's a guy who is dangerous and we know can hit."

Bour was rumored to be on the move before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. That passed, and he was dealt during the revocable trade period, which ended on Aug. 31.
The veteran first baseman, who broke in with the Marlins in 2014, is eligible to be on the Phillies' postseason roster.
"[Trades are] something that you expect, because it is part of the game of baseball," Bour said. "But, also, when it happens, it's a little bit of like a, 'Whoa' moment. For me, after the initial 'Whoa' moment, I was very fortunate where the people in Philly were accommodating and welcoming of me, so it was an easy transition."
Worth noting
• Although rookies like Lewis Brinson and Magneuris Sierra are getting an opportunity in September, Mattingly noted that starting jobs aren't automatically secured for 2019.
"I think we're getting the first wave of opportunity," Mattingly said. "I don't think anybody can sit here and say, 'Even though we love Brins, he obviously has got to get better.' You're trying to find out who is part of winning, not just talent -- guys who can do some things, and can actually produce. That's really where you have to get to, where guys are actually throwing up hits, knocks, homers, RBIs, the whole package comes out. Knowing it's a possibility is one thing, but then actually seeing it is another."
• Triple-A New Orleans wraps up its Pacific Coast League season on Monday. Once their season ends, the Marlins are expected to call up at least a couple of additional players. Two possibilities are right-handed reliever Tyler Kinley, from Plantation, Fla., who also attended Barry University in Miami Shores, and outfielder Christopher Bostick, who has already seen some big league time this year with the Marlins and Pirates.