MIAMI -- On Wednesday, Marlins center fielder Christian Yelich was ready to do some heavy lifting as part of an initiative to bring relief to areas devastated by natural disasters.
Yelich took part in the Players Trust "Returning Home" event in Dallas to raise funds to benefit those impacted in California, Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico. Joining Yelich were American League MVP Award winner Jose Altuve, Hall of Fame catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez and more than 50 former or current players.
"It's been a tough year for a lot of people all over the country," Yelich said on MLB Network's "Hot Stove" morning show. "It's just nice to let them know we appreciate them and haven't forgotten about them. We're going to do anything we can to help out."
A native of Thousand Oaks, Calif., Yelich reminded people that his home state was impacted by wild fires. Florida, Houston, Texas, and Puerto Rico are still recovering from the wraths left by hurricanes.
"Ready to get after it," Yelich said. "It's just going to be nice to give back, and show these people we haven't forgotten about them, and we still care."
As part of the "Returning Home" event, the players were scheduled to visit a Habitat for Humanity warehouse in Dallas, where they were framing two houses for victims of Houston floods. They're also going to assemble holiday gift packages for displaced families.
Yelich, who turns 26 on Dec. 5, had another solid season with the Marlins, batting .282 with a .369 on-base percentage, plus 18 home runs and 81 RBIs. For the first time in his career, he scored 100 runs.
The left-handed-hitting outfielder also is aware the Marlins are going through a transitional period with Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter assuming ownership of the franchise. There is the possibility Yelich, as well as his teammates, like Giancarlo Stanton, might be traded.
Yelich said he has spoken a few times in the offseason with Stanton, and they understand it is part of the business.
"We just realize that it's part of the game," Yelich said. "It's going to happen. It's not the first time that [Stanton's] been in trade talks or I've been in trade talks. We're all kind of taking it in stride, and kind of seeing what happens and how it all plays out."
If Stanton is dealt, it likely could mean more major moves could follow.
"It would be tough," Yelich said. "He's been there his whole career. He's one of the leaders on the team. He means a lot to the guys on the team, the community. But this stuff, it happens, it's part of the game. We'll kind of see where it goes here the next couple of weeks."