MLB: Miami Marlins Raise Asking Price for Jose Fernandez, Still Taking to Teams
The Miami Marlins have been shopping young ace Jose Fernandez since the offseason has started, but no deal can be done due to the high value on him. According to several reports, the Marlins are still shopping Fernandez but have raised their already high price with multiple teams showing interest.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports noted on his latest hot stove report that the Los Angeles Dodgers are still talking about a possible deal with Miami, but Fernandez's fate is in the hands of owner Jeffrey Loria. The Marlins added more value on the 23-year-old ace because of the Shelby Miller trade between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves.
The Braves got a huge return for Miller, wherein 2015 first overall pick Danby Swanson was a part of. It increased the Marlins' expectations for a Fernandez trade, but there are still questions about his innings limit next season going his first full year after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Miami have received a lot of offers for Fernandez, but nothing has been enough for team president David Samson. "In order to trade anyone, you want to feel like you're getting better, both now and in the future, and no one presented anything for Jose that would do that. I don't think anyone could," Samson told MLB.com.
According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, the Marlins want a lot from the Dodgers for Fernandez including top prospects Corey Seager and Julio Urias, young outfielder Joc Pederson and two more prospects.
Gammons Daily noted on their report that the Miami offered Fernandez to Dave Dombrowski and the Boston Red Sox for top prospects Eduardo Rodriguez, Yoan Moncada and Christian Vazquez, outfielder Mookie Betts, and another pitcher.
The Marlins have also a deal in place for the Diamondbacks with prospects Swanson, Ender Inciarte, Aaron Blair and a lot more prospects for the 2013 NL Rookie of the Year. However, the Marlins front office appears to not be in a rush to trade their prized pitcher, per SB Nation.
Fernandez is only 23 years old is still full of potential despite undergoing Tommy John surgery. He has a 22-9 record with a solid 2.40 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and 336 strikeouts in 289 innings pitched over three seasons, per Baseball Reference. He is also arbitration eligible this offseason but is under club control for three more seasons.
The Cuban-born pitcher plays in a city with a lot of Cuban citizens and is one of the fan favorites in Miami. He is a role model for many of the young and locals Cubans living in the city.
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