A year ago today the Marlins and Giancarlo Stanton inked a 13 year deal worth $325 million. Stanton and stud pitcher Jose Fernandez were supposed to lead the Marlins to new heights except now the Marlins may be in search of a new ace to lead the way.
Craig Mish from Sirius Radio is reporting Fernandez may be on the move this winter.
The recent feud with Fernandez’s agent Scott Boras may be the main motive for the trade rumors. While 23 year old power right-hander is under team control through 2018 it may make sense to maximize his value if they feel a long term deal is not in the cards. The Marlins team budget is expected to stay within 80 million for the next several years. MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro shot down the rumors entirely.
The medical reports may be the biggest deciding factor in any Fernandez deal. After undergoing Tommy John surgery on May 16th of 2014 Fernandez finished the 2015 at 6-1 with a 2.92 ERA. With a potential innings limit looming agent Scott Boras discussed the possible plan.
“The doctors are going to prescribe a graduated program for him,” Boras told reporters. “He threw somewhere in the area of 65-70 innings. Obviously, that jump to where he’s going to go. I think his career high is 170-180. I’m sure we’ll have discussions about that in the offseason.”
With the Marlins seemingly out of it in 2016 and 2017 it may be in their best interests to deal him if the iron is hot. With the way the Atlanta Braves have been rebuilding, the Nationals new implemented leadership, and Mets recent world series run the thought process could lead Miami to deal Jose Fernandez if the right deal comes along.
