While specifics of the deal aren’t known, Marlins president David Samson told reporters today, including Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald (Twitter link), that ace Jose Fernandez rejected a long-term contract offer made by the team. It’s not exactly surprising that Fernandez, a Scott Boras client coming off a season that was shortened by 2014 Tommy John surgery, would be averse to a long-term pact at this time. Boras clients rarely sign pre-arbitration extensions, and Fernandez’s value is down due to his long layoff (although he was utterly dominant when healthy). A right biceps strain also slowed Fernandez late in the season, but he’s still one of the two faces of the Miami franchise, alongside Giancarlo Stanton. An extension for Fernandez, if even possible, would figure to be exceptionally lucrative, though the 23-year-old and his agent may simply prefer to wait until he’s pitched a full season post-Tommy John before even opening their minds to such a concept.
A few more notes from Samson’s session with the media…
- The Marlins have a known desire to add starting pitching this winter, but Samson says the team won’t pursue the top tier of available arms, via Jackson’s tweet above. That means that David Price and Zack Greinke are off the table, and I’d imagine that Johnny Cueto and Jordan Zimmermann are similarly too pricey for Miami’s tastes. The Marlins, of course, weren’t expected to pursue free agents of that caliber anyhow, although the Fish did jump into the James Shields derby late last offseason.
- Right-hander Henderson Alvarez, who missed nearly all of the 2015 season with shoulder injuries that eventually required surgery, won’t be ready for Opening Day, according to Samson (via Jackson). The 25-year-old Alvarez was Miami’s Opening Day starter and has a no-hitter under his belt since coming to Miami by way of a trade with Toronto, but the Marlins aren’t even decided on whether or not they’ll tender him a contract, per Samson. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected Alvarez to earn $4MM next season, and while that’s not an outrageous number, the team could conceivably cut ties if the belief is that Alvarez’s injuries will keep out for a significant portion of 2016.
- Via MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro (on Twitter), first base/infield coach Perry Hill will return to the coaching staff for a third straight season. Lenny Harris will return as the assistant hitting coach/third base coach, and Reid Cornelius will reprise his role as bullpen coach. With a new manager entering the picture, the future of the coaching staff can always be a bit uncertain, but it appears that there won’t be sweeping changes under newly minted skipper Don Mattingly. However, Mattingly did indicate at today’s press conference that he believes Dodgers bench coach Tim Wallach will accompany him from L.A. to Miami.
- Frisaro also tweets that former Major Leaguers Joey Cora and Mark DeRosa interviewed for the Marlins’ managerial vacancy. Both former infielders have been doing broadcasting work recently but were well-liked and well-respected players during their playing careers.
They may be down Alvarez, but hopefully they get back Cossart, who battled vertigo nearly all season and they think have figured out something to fix those issues now that won’t spell doom to his career, what happened to star player Nick Essasky around 25y ago from the same issues.
Brad Hand, along with Tom Koehler can be semi reliable arms in the back end of the rotation and Fernandez is as good as they come. Wasn’t it awfully smart to trade 3y of control they had with Nathan Eovaldi for that lightweight hitting Prado? That deal gets worse every minute after it 1st occurred.
I don’t expect them to sign any medium tiered SP FA, even lower medium tiered starters. bargain bin? Yep. Maybe bring in a Rich Hill type and hope for 10-12 starts before his elbow blows out again, then hope Nicholino or Conley can maybe make due the rest of the way.
Tommy Hutton may retire after this year (just saying) after watching how little is up and coming from the system and how little is put back in. The team needs an entire new ‘pen, outside of Ramos and Capps. The back end of the rotation is questionable and everyone knows Loria isn’t going to spend anything to fix any of it. Just sad.
Prado’s been a much needed leader in the clubhouse and manned the hot corner way. A true vet to help teach the younger players how to play the game the way it should be played..team baseball. Yes it hurt to lose Nathan E. but he was a thrower not a pitcher and the long ball hurt him by the tons. At the time we could afford that deal b/c the rotation was projected to be at some point with Alvarez,cosart,Fernandez,Koehler and the option of hand,niccolino,urena or Conley .. You gotta trade a piece to gain another
Capps,baraclogh, Dunn, are solids to keep as steady a in the pen..Ramos gives me headaches..id explore other options..
#Loriabeingloria on spending money smh.. #Cantsellsoonenough
Afraid he isn’t going anywhere until at least a couple years after the all star game in Miami. Let’s keep are fingers crossed!
Did Honeycutt sign with the Dodgers again? I’ve heard he has be obtained and then I’ve read that Mattingly was trying to bring him with him. A little confused on which story is true.
We’re going to Non-tender Hendo over $4 million?? It’s like every time I think we can’t go any lower…..
And what kind of organization makes an announcement about a player turning down an extension? Seems like a preemptive attempt at explaining why he’s gone in a year or 2/walks in free agency in 3 years. It also kind of seems like an attempt to put some negative light towards Jose to the fan base. I just can’t understand why MLB worked so hard to get rid of other owners, but allows this type of stuff to continue for so long.
It fits the Loria pattern. Alvarez will have 4 full seasons in by the end of 2016 and I really doubt he’s going to be ready to help by then, putting hit arbitration yet again and making a few hundred thousand more than that, so figure 4.2-3m.. Maybe a tad more.
Normal teams would be willing to pay that amount for a solid #2 starter, but would a team that always looks to cut payroll? Even other teams that act cheap? Tampa acts like that also sometimes.