Hot stove: Dodgers, rivals talking about Jose Fernandez; talks heat up
Miami has said Fernandez is basically unavailable, but they are listening.
By
Jon Heyman
•
1 min read
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Dodgers and NL West rival Giants and Diamonbacks all have been talking to the Marlins about young superstar pitcher Jose Fernandez, and while Marlins people maintain they have little to no interest in trading Fernandez, things appear to be percolating a bit with the Dodgers and perhaps one or two more teams.
The Dodgers are thought to be adamant about keeping young shortstop Corey Seager, but someone with knowledge of the situation said they are at least having discussions about deals that would involve top young pitching prospect Julio Urias in a large package of young players.
Marlins president Michael Hill has suggested that Fernandez is "not available," but adds the caveat that he's willing to listen to overwhelming offers. The Marlins are asking for so much that many other large market teams have suggested Fernandez is basically unavailable.
But there is word Tuesday that the Dodgers and at least one NL West rival has stepped things up a bit. The Dodgers were stunned when star starter Zack Greinke went to the Diamondbacks, and they are trying to recover big. They are about to land Hisashi Iwakuma on a $45-million, three-year free-agent deal, as first reported by CBS Sports, but they'd love a pitcher they can put between Kershaw and Iwakuma.
If any of the NL West rivals can land Fernandez, they would have two big-time aces, as the Dodgers have the game's best pitcher Clayton Kershaw and the Giants have the game's best postseason pitcher Madison Bumgarner.
The Marlins were said to have asked Arizona for two of their top major league players plus multiple prospects, leading one D-Backs person to conclude they are "out."
However, the action remains in the NL West. The Dodgers, who suffered a reverse when star closer Aroldis Chapman was found by Yahoo! to have had a dometic incident the day the Dodgers reached an agreement to acquire him (that trade is "on hold" at the very least).
Prices for pitchers on the trade market is presumably rising considering free-agent prices are so high. It's no surprise Miami seeks a haul here.
The Dodgers might be considered the favorite for Fernandez, thanks to their need for a top starter, if there could be such a thing as a favorite for a player who is said to be unavailable.
