The Los Angeles Dodgers are still in discussions with the Miami Marlins over Jose Fernandez, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi reports that no deal is close.
Fernandez has been a hot topic this offseason, though many around baseball are still unsure whether the Marlins are truly serious about dealing the young, star pitcher. Los Angeles would be a perfect fit for Fernandez, as they have whiffed at pretty much every starting pitching option this offseason, including the likes of Zack Greinke, David Price, Johnny Cueto, and Hisashi Iwakuma. The Dodgers' rotation lacks any sort of depth following Clayton Kershaw. It is apparent that the team wants another top-of-the-rotation arm to compliment him. Brett Anderson, Hyun-jin Ryu, Alex Wood, and Mike Bolsinger round out the rest of Los Angeles' starting pitchers. As for the Marlins, the Dodgers do have a lot to offer in a trade, but it remains to be seen whether they would deal any of their top prospects. The Dodgers recently added to their farm system in the three-team Todd Frazier deal, but it still appears that they would have to deal Corey Seager or Julio Urias to get Fernandez. The 23-year-old Fernandez went 6-1 with a 2.92 ERA and a 79 to 14 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 64 2/3 innings pitched. He missed most of the season due to injury. The Cuban, who is the former NL Rookie of the Year, does not become a free agent until after the 2018 season. --Devan Fink
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The Washington Nationals have left-handed starter Wei-Yin Chen on their radar, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
Ladson's source, however, is not sure whether the Nationals would give Chen the five-year deal he is looking for. Chen may prefer to stay in the D.C.-metro area, after spending the past four years of his career just north of the District in Baltimore. The Nationals are in need of a revamped starting rotation. Jordan Zimmermann already signed with the Tigers in free agency and Doug Fister is soon to follow. Chen would add some much-needed balance to a Washington rotation that is quite top-heavy. After Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer, the Nationals have Gio Gonzalez, Tanner Roark, and Joe Ross to round out the starting staff. Chen would be a good No. 3 starter that would add depth. Chen's market has been considerably quiet as of late, but the Royals, Cardinals, and Cubs have all been connected to the lefty who is reportedly seeking a five-year, $100 million deal. The 30-year-old went 11-8 with a 3.34 ERA and a 153 to 41 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 191 1/3 innings pitched. According to FanGraphs, he was worth 2.8 Wins Above Replacement. --Devan Fink
The St. Louis Cardinals have had trade talks with the Tampa Bay Rays aimed at a starting pitcher, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports.
Morosi goes on to explain that Jake Odorizzi is from the St. Louis area, but does not mention whether the talks are surrounding the right-hander. It is known, however, that the Rays are in discussions with the Dodgers over Odorizzi as well, so St. Louis could be involved in similar trade talks. The Cardinals are in the need for a starter. John Lackey went to the Cubs in free agency and Lance Lynn is out for the season after having Tommy John surgery. As it stands, their rotation includes Adam Wainwright, Carlos Martinez, Jaime Garcia, Michael Wacha, and Marco Gonzalez. It is obvious that they could use some depth in their rotation and Odorizzi, if he is involved in discussions, would be a huge upgrade. Odorizzi, who turns 26 in March, went 9-9 with a 3.35 ERA and a 150 to 46 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 169 1/3 innings pitched. According to FanGraphs, Odorizzi posted a 3.61 FIP, 3.96 xFIP, and a 2.9 Wins Above Replacement. --Devan Fink
The Oakland Athletics have reached an agreement with right-handed starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez on a one-year deal, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reported Friday.
Alvarez, 25, was non-tendered by the Marlins in November, ending a three year stint with the club. The decision was a bit of a surprise, even though Alvarez is dealing with shoulder issues. The reason this is a surprise is that 2016 is not Alvarez's last under team control. He still is technically under contract for 2017, too. Cotillo reported that Alvarez will make $4.25 million as a base salary in his new deal with Oakland. He can earn up to an additional $1.6 million in games started incentives, possibly pushing his total salary to $5.85 million. Alvarez can also be controlled by the Athletics in 2017 through the arbitration process, making this a calculated risk by Billy Beane and company in the front office. A one-time All-Star, Alvarez could end up paying big dividends in Oakland. Last season, Alvarez struggled, going 0-4 with a 6.45 ERA in 22 1/3 innings pitched. He underwent shoulder surgery in July and missed the rest of the season. Shoulder injuries are considered tricker than elbows, so it is hard to know when he will be back. Recent reports have suggested that Alvarez may be ready by Opening Day so that appears to be a good sign. In 2014, Alvarez looked ready to lead the Marlins' staff alongside Jose Fernandez. He went 12-7 with a 2.65 ERA and a 111 to 33 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 187 innings pitched. According to FanGraphs, he was worth 2.1 Wins Above Replacement. Alvarez is the second free agent starting pitcher the A's have signed this offseason, after Rich Hill. Oakland's staff consists of Sonny Gray, Jesse Hahn, Hill, Chris Bassit, and now Alvarez. They look to climb back into contention in the American League in 2016. --Devan Fink
The Seattle Mariners announced the re-signing of right-handed starter Hisashi Iwakuma to a one-year deal with vesting options for 2017 and 2018.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, if Iwakuma's two options vest, he can earn nearly $45 million over the three years. His deal includes a full no-trade clause. Iwakuma was thought to be heading to the Dodgers on a three-year, $45 million deal back at the Winter Meetings, but apparently his deal fell through. One report suggested that this was due to failed medicals. Regardless, Iwakuma's deal with Los Angeles never finalized. The Mariners swooped back in and got a deal done. Iwakuma's market definitely took a big swing, as he lost two guaranteed contract years if in fact he had a three-year deal with Los Angeles. Now in order to have guaranteed seasons in 2017 and 2018, Iwakuma must reach certain baselines. If he does, he will end up making around the same amount of money he would have made had he signed with Los Angeles. The only difference, however, is that only the 2016 season is fully guaranteed. Iwakuma will slide back into his No. 2 role in the Mariners' rotation, behind ace Felix Hernandez. The team has been busy this offseason trying to revamp their roster to make the postseason, adding Wade Miley, Steve Cishek, Joaquin Benoit, Nori Aoki, Adam Lind, Seth Smith, and Loenys Martin in a variety of transactions. Last season, Iwakuma went 9-5 with a 3.54 ERA in 192 2/3 innings pitched. He posted a 111 to 21 strikeout-to-walk ratio, 3.74 FIP, and 3.27 xFIP. According to FanGraphs, he was worth 1.8 fWAR. The 34-year-old has spent his entire Major League career with the Mariners. He began pitching in Major League Baseball in 2012, after he was signed out of Japan. Iwakuma, who was named to the AL All-Star team in 2013, has a career 3.17 ERA and 4.34 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 653 2/3 career innings. --Devan Fink |
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