As the MLB’s Winter Meetings begin on Monday, many trades will be discussed and potentially completed this week.
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The Marlins aren’t trying to trade Jose Fernandez, and they’re telling teams they have no intention of doing so anytime soon, according to one top team official. Yahoo’s Jeff Passan reported that the Marlins asked the Dodgers for Urias and shortstop prospect Corey Seager, but the Dodgers rejected that because Seager is expected to be their starting shortstop. Fernandez is arguably a top-five or top-ten pitcher in baseball right now and only 23 years old.
Despite their consistent denial that they would trade a reportedly disgruntled Fernandez, the Marlins apparently would be willing to listen to offers for the right-hander – although teams that have spoken to the Marlins told ESPN that Miami’s asking price is so high that it might mean he would remain with the team.
The Yankees biggest need is controllable starting pitching, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that Jose Fernandez in pinstripes is a match made in happen.
A lot of Fernandez’s availability seems to be because of the past incompetence of the Marlins and Jeffrey Loria, who has a track record of trading his best players out of nowhere. The Dodgers were considered the favorites to sign Greinke, but he signed a $206 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Urias is a promising young player with many seasons to give and Wood is a solid pitcher who can certainly compliment the rotation the Marlins will have in place post Fernandez trade.
According to multiple reports, the Dodgers will likely sign Hisashi Iwakuma, who went 9-5 with a 3.54 ERA for the Seattle Mariners last season.
Strong went 4-1 with a 2.54 ERA in 38 relief appearances for the Brewers’ Double A affiliate last season but struggled after being promoted to Triple A, going 1-1 with a 7.16 ERA in 12 outings. Thus, an acquiring team would have to rob from its 2016 club to obtain Fernandez, which makes it – in the words of one executive – “a tough bridge to cross”.
While the discussions are said to be ongoing, many believe the Marlins are not serious about making such a move.
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“For us to move something off of our team, it needs to be something that we think is an upgrade and significantly makes us better”, Hill said last week.
