The Miami Marlins shocked baseball with a record-breaking extension for outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. They handed their slugging star a 13-year, $325 million contract; not only was the deal the largest in MLB history, it broke the norm for a typically stingy franchise.
According to reports, the vault has remained open. Miami is looking to lock up its core for years to come after offering long-term deals to ace pitcher Jose Fernandez, who had Tommy John surgery this season, and promising outfielder Christian Yelich.
The offer for Fernandez is six years and $40 million, including two team options. The figure seems low, even if Fernandez just had major surgery. Fernandez had a stellar rookie campaign, going 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. He then improved on that in 2014, going 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA and 0.95 WHIP to go with a lower FIP than he posted in 2013.
With numbers like that at only 22 years old, Fernandez is expected to ask for much more money than the current $40 million offer.
Yelich is in the same boat as Fernandez. According to CBS Sports, Yelich has been given six, seven and eight year offers but none are close on the money. He played in 144 games last season and was a major contributor to a team that surprised most baseball observers by not finishing in last place in the NL East.
He slashed .284/.362/.402, with nine home runs, 30 doubles and six triples. Yelich offered plus defense in the outfield, stole 21 bases, and is also only 22 years old.
The Marlins reportedly have offers out or coming shortly for shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria and outfielder Marcell Ozuna. While not much progress seems to have been made so far, comments from general manager Dan Jennings are indicating optimism.
We've had some great exchanges. I feel like we're moving in the right direction," Jennings said.
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