To Trade or Not to Trade

Here is Chris Saunders discussing the trade rumors surrounding Miami Marlins star pitcher Jose Fernandez. 

Article by Chris Saunders

The MLB offseason is always something of a spectacle when it comes to rumors, trades, signings etc. One such rumor has been gaining some traction, and in a lot of ways might have possibly become more than just here say. The Miami Marlins have “listened” in on trade possibilities involving their young star pitcher Jose Fernandez. Fernandez, 23, has three more years on his contract before he becomes a free agent at the rip ole age of 26. A Scott Boras client, the marlins have a better chance of striking gold than Fernandez signing a long term deal before he can test the market. This isn’t the first time Miami has dealt with “Star” players close to their free agent years. Before the Miami Marlins became said team, they were originally known as the Florida Marlins until 2012. Either way you look at it, the marlins have traded away numerous young pitchers from Josh Beckett in 2005, to the mega deal when they first became the Miami Marlins in 2012 and traded away Josh Johnson/Mark Buehrle plus others for numerous prospects. With that being said, and the possibly growing more and more likely that the marlins won’t keep Jose past his age 26 season, why not trade him now while he’s a hot commodity. Here are the two teams that have the most in terms of prospects and “Starting Pitching” needs to acquire Fernandez services.

1. Dodgers

The Dodgers almost undoubtedly would have to build a deal around the 19-year-old pitching prospect Julio Urias. But they aren't going to trade Corey Seager, their Opening Day shortstop. And as much as Yasiel Puig might feel like a natural fit for Miami, doing that to Don Mattingly, who was pretty much exasperated with Puig by the end of his L.A. tenure, would be cruel. Urias, who has already advanced to Triple-A, would give the Marlins an attractive arm that can help them as soon as this season. He'd be the centerpiece. And the Dodgers have a slew of other pieces to consider for such a swap, right-hander Jose De Leon (a former 24th-round pick who now has scouts salivating) to right-hander Grant Holmes (a 2014 first-rounder) to catcher Austin Barnes (who has shown a high OBP and speed at Triple-A) to outfielder Alex Verdugo (a 19-year-old with power potential). But where this discussion could get intriguing is if the Marlins were to make it a package deal involving both Fernandez and Marcell Ozuna, the 25-year-old center fielder they're known to be open to moving. In that scenario, you could probably talk about a blockbuster based around Urias and Joc Pederson. But asking for both of those players and Seager and two more pieces for just Fernandez? That only makes sense if Fernandez comes with the ability to grant three wishes.

2. Red Sox

Dave Dombrowski swung the trade for the mighty Miggy. What would it take to form an equitable swap for Fernandez? Yoan Moncada could be a starting point, particularly if the Red Sox will pick up most of what remains of Moncada's initial $31.5 million signing bonus. The Marlins would almost certainly ask for Eduardo Rodriquez as an emerging top-end option who is cost-controlled through 2021 -- exactly the sort of option Miami would need in a Fernandez-less rotation. Catcher Blake Swihart obviously has tremendous trade value at a difficult position to fill, though the Marlins do have high hopes that J.T Realmuto will be their guy behind the plate for the foreseeable future. Major League-ready rotation pieces like Henry Owens or Brian Johnson could add depth to any offer. Third baseman Rafael Devers is only 19 years old, but he is a valuable trade chip for Boston because of his developing power bat at the hot corner. But the Red Sox appear satisfied with their David Price-led rotation, so this one is a long shot among long shots.

Whatever the case may be, one thing is for certain. Miami has three years to either do one of two things…do everything in their power to get the team better before Fernandez’s contract is up, or trade him now and get max value for him. In the words of the great horror movie Saw “The choice is yours Miami, make your choice.”