The Marlins “remain in active negotiations” with southpaw Wei-Yin Chen, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links). Rosenthal first said there was interest between the sides a few days back. Miami is not alone in pursuit, and the market is “evolving rapidly,” per the report.
Chen, a client of Scott Boras, is arguably the best pitcher left on the open market. Certainly, he came into the winter with the strongest earning power of those arms yet to have sign: MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes ranked him the 13th overall free agent and valued him at five years and $80MM. Dierkes also took a full look at Chen’s open-market case in a free agent profile.
For Miami, the rotation has long been an area of focus, but the club has only added Edwin Jackson thus far. While he certainly builds out depth, it’s been a while since he was an effective rotation piece. And given the minimal financial commitment and availability of a bullpen role, it’s certainly possible that he could simply be utilized in a swingman capacity.
The Fish have a bit of an edge over other possible suitors for Chen, in that they have a protected first-round draft pick. Without the threat of losing a top selection, the club’s opportunity cost is much lower than those teams that would part with a valuable young piece. Of course, some of the other clubs rumored to have interest may not need to factor that too heavily, either, whether because they have already punted their top pick (e.g., Nationals), don’t have a strong draft position (e.g., Royals), or could sign other QO-bound free agents as well (e.g., Orioles).
Chen isn’t alone, of course. While the focus has been on the number of significant bats still available, he forms rather an impressive trio — along with Yovani Gallardo and Ian Kennedy — of still-available-starters. All three require draft compensation to sign.
Chen in the NL East will be very effective. An ERA right around 3 is very possible.
If they can sign Chen to go behind fernandez , they have a chance to contend if everyone stays healthy.
Contend is a bit far, they need their younger pitchers and outfielders develop a bit more to be considered legit contenders
what they need is Stanton to play 150 games this year, and their young pitchers have a good year
I think they can contend as long as Stanton is healthy and they add one more arm, like Chen. The NL east is so weak.
The Mets and Nats would like a word.
This would be a boost to the rotation and if they get him at a reasonable price, they can move him, like they always do.
He’s asking for 5/$100……….for those numbers, I’d much rather chase Cespedes or Upton, then lower the trade demands on Ozuna and get a really good #2 or #3 SP………I think the Rays would love to have Ozuna, if the asking price was fair. The guy has a huge upside (Mattingly and Bonds both want him to stay in Miami)
Would the Marlins actually spend Boras kind of money?
They own the biggest contract in baseball. So, yes.
But, that’s Stanton, and it was structured in a way to defray costs up front, has in a later opt out–and I don’t think there’s a no trade clause.
Even if the Fish were to sign him, I can’t see this turning them into contenders yet. Too many question marks, but it would be a solid signing on their half.
I can’t believe they gave up on Alvarez
Alvarez is done as an effective starter most likely. Shoulders are bad news. Whatever you can say about Loria (and he deserves it) their player personnel guys are no dummies.
Yeah while this signing would make them much more competitive, there are still possible one more starter from truly competing…With Fernandez, Chen, Koehler, Cosart, and possibly Phelps, Nicolino, or some other young starter stepping up, that would greatly improve their chances though.
Their bullpen could still use some upgrades, but with a bullpen of Barraclough, Ramos, Capps, Ellington, and Morris to go along with Lazo and Dunn as lefties their pen could really suprise some people…Most of the listen pen guys had pretty strong showings last year, and if they maintain that or even improve then their pen could actually turn from a weakness to a strength!!
And with an infield of Realmuto, Bour, Gordon, Hechavarria, and Prado they should be set. Add-in their outfield of Yelich, Ozuna, Stanton, and Ichiro as a solid 4th man and their line-up actually does not look too bad at all…
They could use a veteran pinch-hitting,power bat off the bench to help them out, but then again most teams could use a guy like that. If Rojas can perform like he did last year, then that would help spell some of the other guys, while not having to worry about sacrificing much from the hitting department.
Although a bench of Rojas, along with Ichiro, Dietrich, Mathis, and even Gillespie, who batted .290ish last season could very well do okay. They, collectively, will not be a huge team strength, but each player individually will bring their own strengths and unique skill set to this team.
This team will have to hit to he competitive, because their pitching will not win them many ball games, and it should not be expected many games that they will only give up 0-3 runs…With that being said, their season will ride mainly on the backs of Stanton’s health, Hechavarria, Yelich, and especially Bour and Ozuna!
If those Stanton and Fernandez both stay healthy that will go along way itself towards the Marlins staying competitive, but for then to truly compete they will need Chen, a true #3 and 4 to emerge, their BP to grow, and the previously mentioned 4 guys to have solid years, again, especially Bour and Ozuna!!
Agree mostly. I just think that 5/$100 (if that’s what he gets) could be used to bring a strong bat, then trade Ozuna for a decent pitcher. Chen is good, but has a few question marks to be getting that kind of contract. We’ll probably know very soon.
I think Bour steps it up a notch this year…..improves vs lefties…..and flexes his muscles in the HR dept (a little bit)…He struggled a bit mid season last year, and might need a little conditioning (listed at 6’4″, 250 lbs…..Stanton is 6’6″ 240…….I think Bour was closer to 270…lol) .
Health will be key for Stanton, Fernandez, and Yelich…..as you said
Ohh yeah I think Bour is definitely closer to 270 ish lol haha….If he were to get toned up though, his power could really be epic, especially with him and Stanton that would be one hell of some BP to watch!! Not to mention the havoc they could wreak against opposing pitchers!!
I think they will end up getting Chen a bit cheaper, in terms of gaurenteed money, but possibly with some extra incentives added, along with the possibility of an opt out after 3 years…I, personally think, to contend, they truly need him!!
The only part I really disagree with you on is Marcell Ozuna…He has some excellent talent, and has shown the ability to really hit at the ML level, he just has to be more consistent and I think his best years are definitely ahead of him..
Out of all the players in the NL East, I’m picking Ozuna as my, relative, break out player…I think with their new hitting instructors, and Ozuna really committing himself he could very well end up being a star in this league…
Then again, potential is only just potential…But hit potential is definitely tantalizing, and I just don’t think they could get back anything that would be worth trading him for….Right now, pitching is at a premium, and I’m not so sure any other team will want to fork over a talented pitcher for Ozuna..I very well could be wrong, but Idk I just can’t see them getting a favorable return actually worth trading Ozuna…
I will not be at all suprised if Ozuna belts 25 home runs, drives in 80 runs, scores 80 runs, has 30 doubles, has 5 triples, 7-10 stolen bases, hits .275, and has an OBP of .325 next season….That is the player I truly believe Ozuna can be, with a good year. I fully expect the new staff to truly turn his potential into actual reality, and I’m expecting Ozuna to have his best season to date.
If you are a Marlins fan, I would definitely want them to hold out at least this year and next to see what this new staff can do with Marcell. I know Loria wants to trade him, but by all accounts the staff is actually really excited to work with him, and they have been reporting nothing but great things about Ozuna so far…
I honestly do not want Ozuna to really start tearing things up, solely because I’m a Braves fan lol haha, but I just think Ozuna really got a fire lit under his ass after getting sent down, and I think this year will be his for the taking….