The Miami Marlins are looking to sign their biggest stars long term and have offered yet another young player a long-term deal. This time, it’s pitcher Jose Fernandez who was reportedly offered a six-year, $40 million contract.
MLB‘s official Twitter account passed along the report:
Fernandez, 22, emerged for the Marlins in 2013, going 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA and 187 strikeouts to win the Rookie of the Year award. However, his sophomore season was cut short by having to undergo Tommy John surgery after just eight starts.
Even after the surgery, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports noted that taking the deal would be surprising for a Scott Boras agent:
Adam Klug of CBS Sports Radio also passed along his thoughts:
The Marlins recently signed Giancarlo Stanton to a 13-year, $325 million contract after yet another wildly successful season. Following that deal, Miami general manager Dan Jennings spoke about wanting to lock up other young players, like Fernandez, to long-term contracts as well.
“We’ve had some great exchanges. I feel like we’re moving in the right direction,” Jennings said, via Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. “We’ll get it done. We’ll get it done with Scott, too; we’ll just have to rassle a little harder. … We’d love to have (Fernandez) for a long time … shoot, he’s good.”
It seems the Marlins are trying to build toward the future. After several down seasons in the NL East, the team looks like a future contender with Fernandez and Stanton at the top.
It should be interesting to see what happens with Fernandez given his recent injury and the success prior to the surgery. Regardless of what happens, Fernandez’s future looks as bright as any young pitcher if he remains healthy.
Marlins fans just hope that future is in Miami.
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