The Marlins and agent Scott Boras appear unlikely to negotiate an extension for ace Jose Fernandez early in the offseason, according to the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo, who reports the team could shop the right-hander as a result. Several of the majors’ high-payroll clubs, including the Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees and Cubs, would have interest in acquiring and extending Fernandez, per Cafardo. The 24-year-old is scheduled to hit free agency after the 2018 campaign and has thrown a career-high 174 1/3 innings this season. Along the way, Fernandez has posted dazzling numbers – 2.99 ERA, 12.44 K/9, 2.84 BB/9 – which has been the norm since he debuted in 2013.
More from Cafardo:
- Center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is likely to remain with the Red Sox in 2017 unless they can get a No. 1-caliber starter for him during the winter, writes Cafardo. The Red Sox and White Sox reportedly discussed Bradley and top starters Chris Sale and Jose Quintana in advance of the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline, but Boston wasn’t willing to part with Bradley then. Dealing him in the offseason would give the Red Sox more time to find a replacement, though Bradley has been an integral part of the club in 2016 and could continue to serve as a key piece going forward. The 26-year-old has slashed .273/.354/.501 with 25 home runs in 585 plate appearances and graded well both on the base paths and in the field.
- Plenty of teams will look to hire ex-Twins general manager Terry Ryan as a special advisor in the offseason, a major league source told Cafardo. The Twins fired Ryan in July, but the 62-year-old’s overall body of work has earned him respect from his peers.
- In the event the Blue Jays move on from manager John Gibbons after the season, Cafardo lists Torey Lovullo, Eric Wedge and Bud Black as potential successors. Lovullo, Boston’s bench coach, was an assistant in Toronto from 2011-12. Wedge, who previously managed the Indians and Mariners, now works in player development with the Jays. Black managed the Padres from 2007-15 and is currently a special assistant to Angels GM Billy Eppler.
- Teams will have offseason interest in Red Sox reliever Koji Uehara, an impending free agent, a major league source informed Cafardo. One of those clubs could be the Red Sox, though Cafardo notes that Uehara would need a strong finish to return to Boston for a fifth season. The soon-to-be 42-year-old should also end up with a salary far below the $9MM he’s making now. At 3.95, Uehara has logged his highest ERA since 2009, but his 6.33 K/BB ratio is seventh among relievers who have thrown at least 40 innings this year. Uehara has amassed 41.
gmflores27
lol Marlins such a joke of an organization would probably get shity value for Jose
HaloShane
I could challenge you on that with the Angels organization….. straight up garbage, from the front office to the players on the field.
jake_malinka
So who would the Dodgers trade in order to get Fernandez?
gmflores27
Verdugo de Leon and more
Eric D.
Urias most likely
BlueSkyLA
Most unlikely.
MB923
Who are you expecting then ? Chase Utley? I would be stunned if Urias isnt a goner if they get Fernandez.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
That’s the point he won’t be traded.
chuckymorris
De Leon, Verdugo, Urias, and I guarantee the Marlins would want Corey seager
BlueSkyLA
Would they want the Dodgers to throw in the team bus too?
anonymoususer
Stop being salty already, these people aren’t even saying that it’s what Fernandez is actually worth, they’re saying that’s what the Fish will ask for. Chill.
BlueSkyLA
Brrr. Okay?
So are they saying the Marlins are totally silly, or are they just being totally silly themselves? It’s so difficult to tell.
chieftoto
Honestly, a good, unbiased deal: Kershaw for Fernandez straight up.
Vedder80
If the Marlins were willing to give that kind of money to a pitcher they would just keep Fernandez.
BlueSkyLA
We seem to see new and creative definitions of the word “good” on a daily basis around here.
BoldyMinnesota
What would you’re offer to Miami be then, they are under no pressure to trade him, and might just decide to make a run with him over the next two years. An overpay is what it’s going to take
One Fan
Kershaw for Fernandez makes zero sense for either team
BlueSkyLA
The overpay concept is the key problem. The goal of any trade should be to improve the team. Swapping Kershaw for Fernandez fails the basic test of being a benefit for either team. It certainly doesn’t do anything to help the Dodgers.
BoldyMinnesota
I didn’t mean the kershaw one, I mean what would a package of prospects that you think Miami would accept for him
BlueSkyLA
No idea. I know only that anyone who suggests that the Dodgers would or should give up about fifteen years of top-end controllable players for two years of Fernandez is sniffing something.
One Fan
Thanks for the laugh Chucky
snakqadj
this wouldn’t age well.
Doc Halladay
If the Jays move on from Gibby if they miss the playoffs, I really hope they go after Bud Black.
gofish 2
Would hate to see Jose go, but he actually is not a great pitcher outside of Marlins Park. Could he adjust? Sure. But, whoever trades for him might not be getting the sub-3.00 ERA pitcher they’re hoping for.
2016: 4.52 ERA on the road
Career: 4.07 ERA
slider32
That’s the kicker with Jose, teams might not want to gamble on him with those stats outside of Marlins Park.
Out of place Met fan
Crazy to think teams would not “gamble” on Fernandez. Any team would gladly take the opportunity to add him into the rotation.
slider32
Why not just wait and sign him when he becomes a free agent, I would take Kershaw or Sale over Fernandez.
User 4245925809
Might be right, then after those 2? Kershaw is costing LA 30m next 4 seasons and is 28YO. Sale is 27 and much cheaper of course. Fernandez is 24, still growing and has premium stuff. I wouldn’t rule out him getting better than he is.
Any possible extension will more than likely stick him in the 30m AAV range and 7+y range, tho who wouldn’t put his value there?
Fernandez is top 5 in the game right now.
slider32
Good point, but Fernandez has already had Tommy John, the other 2 are studs and real ace pitchers.. Jose is not in their class.
HaloShane
As an Angels fan, I would love to see this guy play CF for them…. unfortunately the organization does not have any pitching, and JBJ has to much personality to be an Angel.
BoldyMinnesota
I think the Angels are just fine with their current center fielder lol
HaloShane
Trout to LF, JBJ defensively is better than Trout.
gmscott
That doesn’t matter. When you have a star player you take care of him and give him what he wants. No way you move him to left to accompany some new guy.
chieftoto
If anything, move JBJ to SS.
HaloShane
And that exactly is why the Angels are arguably the worst organization in baseball…… Always look to make your team better (something the Angels do not do), not 20 games out of 1st…. This organization is just lost.
brandons-3
I’m sure Trout would move to left to accommodate JBJ or anyone else who could help him win. He is not the type of personality who would cause a problem with that. On a side note, that same personality is probably the one knock anyone has on him. He’s the most quiet best player in a sport I’ve seen.
robert-5
I’d agree, but if you shifted Trout to a corner OF position, it may help keep him fresher/healthier and increase his offensive output even further. Not saying I would go out and target a CF like JBJr, but if a guy who played defense like him came up thru the Angels’ system, I’d strongly consider moving Trout- the perennial MVP candidate- to a corner spot and save some mileage on his legs.
User 4245925809
Correct on the no pitching (starting) to offer for JBJ, as for the personality? JBJ isn’t outgoing, even loud, certainly not in the class of the big mouth Yunel Escobar whom the Angels have and has already been ran out of several organisations for multiple issues.
andm
Hmmm, that is deff concerning.
Frank Richard
The asking price for Fernandez would be huge. As much as almost any team would want him I’m not sure any team is willing to meet the asking price. The Cubs would probably have to give Baez, Schwarber, plus their top 2-3 minor leaguers. That’s putting a strain on a good farm system. The Dodgers have a good farm and even they would take a huge hit. The Red Sox would be looking at something like Groome, Devers, Moncada, Benetendi and a low level high upside arm at least. For 2 years of a guy who is really good but does have injury concerns, club house concerns and isn’t as good away from his home ball park.
Kayrall
lol
BlueSkyLA
Don’t overthink this or anything.
Bruin1012
The fish will keep Fernandez for those outrages prices. The Sox would never do that deal it would be a ridiculous overpay.
jacobsigel1025
Fernandez for Mocada, Sam Travis, Devers, Chavis
JS11
That’s to much for 2 years, you still have to resign him or it’s a terrible deal
Bruin1012
That is more in the ballpark then he silly one above that Frank brought up.
Mollysdad
Mia Jose Fernanadez to Bos for Jackie Bradley, Rafael Devers, Michael Kopech and Sam Travis then Mia flips Marcell Ozuna to TB for Jake Odorizzi
arc89
Bradley Jr will not get a #1 starter by himself. The red sox would need to package 2 prospects with him. By himself probably get a #3 starter but the redsox will want a Ace.
Poundsy24
JBJ is arguably the best CF in the game defensively and he’s hitting .275 with 25 HRs… he is worth more than a 3 starter to this organization. I think the Sox do not need to make a deal for a starter… their starters have been fantastic in the second half, it was their bats that were falling short and their bullpen has been atrocious.
It’s funny to think their offense will only get better with the full time arrivals of Moncada and Benintendi…. this makes two of Shaw, Devers, and/or Sam Travis available depending on who the Sox want at 1B after Hanram moves to DH… but honestly, I like Hanley at 1B so I think the DH should be used to rotate players in and out defensively or if they’re ailing physically.
A move for a frontline starter that hurts the core and the system does not make sense for a young and maturing ball club that has a good staff already… plus I like to see them dance
Price, Porcello, Erod, Pomeranz and Wright/Buchholz is great, especially if Erod can take a step forward next year. Getting Sale or Quintana would just create more problems
slider32
Yanks will be looking for 2 top flight pitchers between now and 2018, I would think Sale would be at the top of their list., since he is a proven pitcher who has stayed healthy. Fernandez seems to have a slight attitude problem when I watch him pitch, I’m not sure how other players on his team view him. Kershaw would also be the best pitcher if he ever hits the market.
Ken M.
That slight attitude is machismo. Very prevalent in Miami.
JaysFan19
Why would Miami not sign Fernandez
tigermr1
They could and maybe the same thing of what happened to Stanton happens but people like to assume stuff just for the heck of it
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
In Fernandez’s case it makes no sense for him to sign any extension. He’s going to make big money upon FA. So the Marlins have probably tried.
BlueSkyLA
He’d make big money with an extension too. The Marlins would have to pay him an equivalent annually to what he’d get in the free agent market (north of $30M very likely) and the benefit to the player is some of that money can be backfilled into his arbitration years, so the present value is better for him. Given his age, the other advantage for the player is he can time his free agency during his late 20s, a perfect age to land a longterm big money deal with a team that can really afford him. The fly in the ointment is the Marlins probably can’t afford to pay him.
robert-5
Yeah pretty sure Fernandez is a Boras client…so I wouldn’t be holding my breath expecting an extension to be signed.
Honestly I don’t see a Jose Fernandez deal happening because what team will give the Marlins what they want to move a young, electric starting pitcher with All-Star and Cy Young winner written all over him, but who has the injury history, maturity issues, and difficulty pitching away from his home ballpark…?
Marlins are a notoriously difficult team to deal with, and they will see JF’s value as through the roof. I don’t know if any team will gamble half their farm system on two yrs of Jose Fernandez to see if he can stay healthy and reach his full potential.