Dodgers, Diamondbacks attempting to acquire Jose Fernandez
The Miami Marlins have made a point this offseason to make it known that top starter Jose Fernandez is not available in trade discussions. And according to multiple reports, front offices of other teams have gotten just that message. But the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks are apparently not those teams.
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Reports on Sunday night say both clubs are having dialogue with the Marlins about their young ace. Talks are reportedly in the early stages, with a deal not close for either team. It sounds like both teams may just be doing their due diligence, as reports have a deal still unlikely. However, Fernandez on either NL West pitching staff would be something to marvel since he would be paired with either Clayton Kershaw or Zack Greinke.
The Dodgers’ interest in Fernandez is understandable, as they just lost the latter to Arizona this week. Adding Fernandez would cushion the blow significantly, and at a much lower annual salary. Los Angeles has already reportedly worked out a deal with Hisashi Iwakuma, and is in pursuit of Aroldis Chapman. However, another impact splash to their rotation doesn’t seem out of the question.
The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, seem determined to keep adding. But the Greinke signing has reportedly put them at or near their budget, so moves going forward will likely come on the trade market. Greinke headlines an otherwise questionable Arizona rotation, and another starting pitcher seems to be at the top of the Diamondbacks’ wish list in Nashville this week. They’ve been connected on many an occasion to Mike Leake, however, one would think that fit is purely speculative at this point if Arizona truly has gotten close to its spending limit.
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It seems unlikely that Fernandez will be dealt this week at the Winter Meetings, though the Dodgers in particular have the prospects to make a deal happen if they’re so inclined. A deal to Los Angeles would likely require top prospect Corey Seager, which seemingly would put a close to those trade discussions.