Lock or Walk?

The Miami Marlins have been talking about locking up some of their players to long term extensions for a while now. They seem to have an excellent young core to do that with, but things don't always go the way we want them to......right? Sometimes, if the two side just can't get together.....you gotta just "Let 'em Walk!"

Obviously, they've already locked up Stanton for at least 5 more years of his 13 yr/$325 million contract (his opt-out comes up after 2020), and they've done a similar thing with Christian Yelich. They successfully signed Yelich to an 8 yr/$49.57 million contract with an option year at $15 million. Yelich does not have an Opt-out, or No-Trade Clause, but Stanton does. That's 2/3 of the OF playing together for a while.

Jose Fernandez (a Boras client), has already rejected a long-term deal with the Marlins.....and I don't expect him to be there past 2018. If he's not traded before then (and I fully expect him to be traded either this year or next winter), and he stays healthy, he's going to command a Huge Contract....one that the Marlins won't want to shell out. Loria will be "Prospect shopping" when it comes to Fernandez......and he'll probably get quite a nice package of them from someone!....(Are the Cubs listening....???)

Adeiny Hechavarria also rejected a long-term offer last winter. Although we don't seem to have access to the amount of that offer, it had to be better than heading into arbitration (2016) with mediocre career numbers. He made $1.9 mil in 2015, but his agent, Praver Shapiro Sports Management, either has something "up his sleeve".....or Hech is getting screwed. Hech is projected to get $2.3 mil in arbitration this winter....Mmmm. Well, that's good for the Marlins!....For now. They need a long term solution at SS, hopefully one who has a better bat than Hech....although he makes some phenomenal plays on defense. (Are the Padres listening...???)

So we come to this year's focus.....Dee Gordon. The Marlins have the reigning Batting Champ, the reigning SB Champ, and a Gold Glove Winner entrenched at 2B. He's also their leadoff hitter, table setter, and apparently, an excellent teammate, in every aspect of the word. He is already 27 years old, but is under teams control through 2019. They do NOT have a decent 2B currently visible in the farm system, although they do have a couple of "in house options" that are adequate at best. Dietrich has been playing in the OF and some 3B, because he's not a very slick fielder. Prado leaves after 2016, and frankly....isn't the answer either. Gordon's offensive numbers lack power, but his wheels can make up for the lack of HR's. Those wheels facilitated 48 doubles, and 20 triples over the last 2 years, leading to lots of runs for the Dodgers/Fish (90 per year over that same span).

Hopefully the Marlins can lock Gordon up for the next 6-8 years at a reasonable price. If not, they will be looking to make another trade for a 2B in 2-3 years. Gordon is projected to get $5.9 mil in arbitration, and is under team control through 2018, so I'd think that a contract of 6/$54-58 million is what the Marlins will assume is a good starting point, but they'll end up in the lower $60's if they want to sign him beyond 2018.

We will soon see..............

From the Bleachers.....
Ken Barr