The Miami Marlins have made a 6-year, $40-million offer to ace Jose Fernandez, according to a report by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
The Marlins gave star RF Giancarlo Stanton a 13-year, $325 million dollar extension last week, and it would seem that the Marlins and owner Jeffery Loria believe they can win now, and want to lock up their young core for the future.
The 22-year old right-hander made just eight starts last season before undergoing season-ending elbow surgery in May. In 51.2 innings pitched he went 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA, 2.18 FIP, and a K/BB ratio of 70/13.
Fernandez won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2013 after going 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA, 2.73 FIP, and a K/BB ratio of 187/58.
Normally, a pitcher isn’t offered an extension after undergoing Tommy John Surgery, but the Marlins love Fernandez, and want to keep him in Miami for a long time.
The reported deal would guarantee that Fernandez stays in a Marlins uniform for all of his arbitration years, and two free agent years. Also, if team options for years seven and eight are exercised, it could keep Fernandez a Marlin until 2023.
Heyman also reports that the Marlins have officially made long term offers to outfielder Christian Yelich, and shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria. Miami is set to make a long term offer early this week to outfielder Marcell Ozuna.
Yelich hit .284 with 9 HR and 54 RBIs over 144 games in 2014. If he commits long term, Stanton and Yelich would be a great outfield paring for years to come.
Hechavarria hit .276 with 1 HR and 34 RBI’s over 146 games for the Marlins in 2014. He has incredible range at SS, and the Marlins would prefer to keep him in Miami.
Ozuna hit .269 with 23 HR and 85 RBI’s over 153 RBI’s last season. Besides Stanton, and Casey McGehee, Ozuna was one of the most productive hitters for the Fish in 2014.
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