If you didn't know their history, you may confuse the Miami Marlins for perennial spenders judging by their behavior so far this offseason.
Marlins working to lock up Jose Fernandez, young core around Giancarlo Stanton
The Marlins secured Giancarlo Stanton with a 13-year contract, but that may be only the first step in locking up the young core group.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The Marlins have already inked superstar Giancarlo Stanton to a record 13-year, $325 million deal, and they are making an effort to lock up 22-year-old ace Jose Fernandez and some of the other talented youngsters on their roster. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported Monday that Miami offered Fernandez a six-year, $40 million extension and has also made attempts to sign outfielder Christian Yelich and shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria to long-term deals.
There is little doubting the Marlins have an intriguing core of young talent, even if their initial offer to Fernandez isn’t likely to end in an agreement. Making a commitment to Stanton was a sign that Miami is at least interested in looking the part of a hopeful contender. Extending Fernandez and their other youngsters would be an even bigger sign of intent.
Given that Fernandez is a Scott Boras client, however, getting the right-hander to sign a contract won’t be easy. The Marlins’ offer would buy out the remaining four years of Fernandez’s arbitration eligibility as well as his first two years of free agency. In addition, Miami could also exercise two club options in the seventh and eighth years of the contract, which would keep Fernandez with the team until he turns 30.
Those two club options make the deal especially unlikely for Fernandez, who could simply just hit free agency at the age of 26 and, if he regains his pre-injury form, command a massive contract from the highest bidder. Indeed, Fernandez’s youth is the key here. His stellar performance at such a young age is nearly unprecedented, which is why the Marlins want to lock him up but also why the Cuban native might just decide to cash in at his first opportunity on the open market. Boras and Fernandez will need more motivation than a club-friendly deal to sign away any of the righty’s free-agent years.
The Marlins, for their part, appear to have a desire to spend money and keep their young core intact, which is a positive step for the organization. Yelich, who batted .284/.362/.402 and won a Gold Glove Award in his first full big league season, has the look of a perennial All-Star, and the club reportedly loves Hechavarria's defense at shortstop (even if advanced defensive metrics aren't sold yet.) Add in Marcell Ozuna, Nathan Eovaldi and Henderson Alvarez, and Miami has the makings of a formidable outfield and rotation.
The key will be Fernandez, who, along with Stanton, gives Miami a one-two punch of budding superstars that most teams can only dream of. His recovery from Tommy John surgery is no certainty, so any long-term extension would carry some added risk. Still, Fernandez’s potential is undeniable.
Although many observers view the club’s offer to the 22-year-old with skepticism (just as they viewed Miami’s willingness to extend Stanton), Marlins GM Dan Jennings is sure optimistic, telling Heyman, “We’ll get it done. We’ll get it done with Scott, too; we’ll just have to rassle a little harder.”
Truthfully, the Marlins aren't a bad bet to make some noise in an NL East that is weak beyond the Nationals, especially if Fernandez returns to form. Considering how much revenue MLB teams are hauling in at the moment, it makes sense that Miami suddenly has some extra money to work with.
In an era when young, cost-controllable players are the most valuable assets in the game, the Marlins are trying to keep their youthful core in town. They’ve been an easy team to poke fun at in recent years, but given their track record of successful player development, a Miami organization that is willing to keep its best, young performers rather than trade them away could be a formidable contender.
The question that always remains is whether the Marlins have truly turned over a new leaf, or will instead reverse course again and sell away their best talent for another rebuild.
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