MLB Trade Rumors: NY Yankees, LA Dodgers Talking to Miami Marlins for Possible Jose Fernandez Deal
The 2015 MLB Winter Meetings have started, and one the biggest names being talked about is the Miami Marlins' 23-year-old starting ace, Jose Fernandez. According to several reports, the Marlins are discussing possible trades for the right-hander with teams that includes the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Jayson Stark of ESPN first reported the rumor. According to his sources, the three teams mentioned above started to research on his situation. In a report by the NJ Advance Media, it is still unclear who the Yankees are possibly parting ways with if they ever pull the trigger on the trade.
One MLB executive has told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that Jeff Loria and the Marlins are looking for an "absurd haul" of players and prospects for Fernandez. He adds that Loria's issues with the 23-year-old's agent, Scott Boras, is the reason why Miami is talking to teams that are interested in Fernandez and another Boras client, outfielder Marcell Ozuna.
The 2013 NL Rookie of the Year is one of the best young pitchers in the game today and possesses unlimited potential despite undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014. He has a career record of 22-9 in 47 starts with a 2.40 ERA and 336 strikeouts, per Baseball Reference.
His age and potential justify the Marlins' demand of players and prospects. For the Yankees to possibly make it work, two of their three best prospects may be involved: 22-year-old first baseman Greg Bird, 23-year-old outfielder Aaron Judge and 21-year-old starting pitcher Luis Severino.
As for the Dodgers, Rosenthal noted that a rival executive told him that the Marlins would demand 19-year-old pitching prospect Julio Urias, 21-year-old shortstop phenom Corey Seager and outfielder Scott Van Slyke. It is indeed an "absurd haul" for Miami as Urias and Seager are the two best prospects of the Dodgers and the entire MLB.
If the Dodgers are unwilling to let go of the two prospects, they still have about $155 million dollars to offer a free agent starting pitcher after Zack Greinke left for Arizona. The Diamondbacks have also talked to the Marlins regarding a possible Fernandez deal.
Rosenthal's sources said that there is a small chance that Arizona will acquire Fernandez as the Marlins want left-hander Patrick Corbin and a few other prospects that may have included shortstop Danby Swanson and right-hander Archie Bradley. The Diamondbacks are looking for a No. 2 starter to help Greinke anchor the rotation.
The Marlins are taking a big risk if they indeed trade Fernandez as he is a Cuban-American playing in a city with a large population of Cubans. He is also one of the main reasons Giancarlo Stanton decided to sign his 13-year, $325 million extension last year.
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