UPDATE: Things could be heating up on the trade front...
Source: #Dodgers have discussed involving a third team to satisfy #Marlins on Fernandez. Typical of Friedman to explore creative options.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 8, 2015
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The Miami Marlins have said Jose Fernandez isn't available, but trade rumors keep suggesting they're fielding offers for the right-hander. As many as 10 teams have checked in on Fernandez, but it appears as if the Los Angeles Dodgers are the best match.
The buzz surrounding Fernandez is perhaps the most talked about at the MLB Winter Meetings. Joe Frisaro of MLB.com has been reporting on the matter and noted the Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be the best fit for a potential trade. The New York Yankees, who are perhaps the second-best suitor, reportedly offered Luis Severino in a package, but Frisaro says they might not have enough even if they were to include first baseman Greg Bird.
However, Joel Sherman of the New York Post says they never offered Severino.
The price for Fernandez is said to be extreme. Rumors suggested the Marlins want 5-6 MLB-ready players in any deal, which almost isn't even worth it.
"'The cost is so overwhelming that I don't think he is really available,' said one executive," Sherman writes.
Nonetheless, the Dodgers have a lot of attractive top prospects that could be ready in the near future and that may interest Miami.
"Things appear to be percolating a bit with the Dodgers and perhaps one or two more teams," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
"The Dodgers are thought to be adamant about keeping young shortstop Corey Seager, but someone with knowledge of the situation said they are at least having discussions about deals that would involve top young pitching prospect Julio Urias in a large package of young players."
Urias, 19, is 7-7 with a 2.91 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 264 strikeouts in 61 minor league games (56 starts), totaling 222 1/3 innings. The Dodgers were reluctant to trade him last offseason and during the year when they were in discussions with other clubs about possibly acquiring starting pitching.
Let's not forget about the potential availability of Yasiel Puig, as the young outfielder has not lived up to expectations over the past two seasons and might interest the Marlins due to their large Hispanic fan base. Miami has reportedly been trying to trade center fielder Marcell Ozuna, and such a move could make room for Puig in the outfield. Joc Pederson hasn't been mentioned at all, as he was off the table when the Dodgers were talking to the Braves about Shelby Miller, but the potential availability of Fernandez could be a different story.
Los Angeles also has prospects Jose De Leon, Jose Peraza, Grant Holmes, Walker Buehler and others that Miami might like. Peraza is MLB-ready De Leon isn't too far off.
Then again, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said today "there is nothing I am thinking about doing at the moment with [Fernandez]."
At this point there are too many conflicting reports to rule anything out. And especially after the Dodgers lost Zack Greinke to the Arizona Diamondbacks, they may continue to push hard for Fernandez to make up for that shortcoming.
However, if the Marlins keep asking for Seager, the Dodgers may end the discussions.
