Marlins Notes: Fernandez, Boras, Mathis

Owners of big-market teams are upset that the Marlins receive MLB’s heftiest revenue-sharing payouts (about $50MM annually) despite having a new stadium, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports writes. “They’re a joke,” says one anonymous executive, who points out that the Marlins receive even more revenue-sharing funds than the Rays or A’s, who continue to struggle with stadium issues. Heyman cites sources, however, who say owner Jeffrey Loria is also frustrated at the Marlins’ situation and has written the team checks each year to cover its financial shortfalls. When the Marlins have spent, they haven’t always spent well, but Heyman points out that the Miami market might be most to blame for their troubles. Here’s more out of Miami.

• Marlins president David Samson says that agent Scott Boras will not be part of any conversations the team has about his client Jose Fernandez’s workload, according to ESPN News Services. Boras was, of course, previously involved in a high-profile disagreement with the Mets over their usage of Matt Harvey. The dispute with the Marlins, though, stems from Boras’ comments about the team’s handling of another one of his clients, Marcell Ozuna, who was demoted last season and who is ineligible for arbitration this winter as a result. “My strong suggestion to Mr. Boras is that instead of resting on his five percent that he collects from his stable of players, he write a check and buy a team,” says Samson. “Until that time, he is in no position to comment how any Major League Baseball team is operated.” Peter Gammons tweets, however, that Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill spoke to Boras to resolve the situation with Fernandez.
• Hill says the Marlins have already contacted backup catcher Jeff Mathis about the possibility of re-signing, reports MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. It’s not automatic Mathis will sign, however, despite what ought to be a relatively low salary (he made $1.5MM last year) and three straight seasons of OPSes below .600. Mathis is popular in the clubhouse, Frisaro notes, and there isn’t a ton of catching depth available on the free agent market.