The Miami Marlins have already begun contract extension talks with 24-year-old outfielder Giancarlo Stanton and apparently they're working on doing the same with their other young stars. Meanwhile, free-agent starting pitcher Jason Hammel is garnering interest from multiple teams.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Marlins have opened contract extension negotiations with starting pitcher Jose Fernandez, outfielder Christian Yelich and shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria. These three guys plus Stanton can be the core for Miami's future, but they might have some trouble locking up Fernandez because his agent is Scott Boras, who is notoriously known as a difficult negotiator.
Fernandez, 22, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014 after just eight starts, but the right-hander owns a 16-8 record with a 2.25 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 36 career starts. The Marlins shouldn't have too much to worry about because he won't become a free agent until 2019. Yelich is also 22 years old and doesn't become a free agent until 2012. He has impressed over the past two seasons in the MLB (206 career games), slashing .365/.400/.765 with 128 runs scored, 13 home runs, 70 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. Hechavarria has the most major league experience, having played 41 games with the Blue Jays in 2012 before arriving in Miami via the Jose Reyes trade. The shortstop had his best year in 2014 after batting .276 with 148 hits and 53 runs scored. His career .976 fielding percentage is what has the attention of most.
With a young starting rotation and outfield, the only glaring needs for the Marlins remain at first and second base. Although they're not big spenders, they were previously linked to Pablo Sandoval, who they would put at first base. Sandoval's contract requests probably exceed the Marlins' financial capabilities, but imagine if he joined Miami with this core of youngsters? We'll see what they decide to do in free agency.
Besides Sandoval, there are number of big names still available, including starting pitcher Jason Hammel who reportedly has attracted interest from 12 teams, according to Daniel Barbarisi of the Wall Street Journal. Hammel was under a one-year, $6 million contract with the Chicago Cubs before he was traded to the Oakland Athletics in July. Although he's not one of the top-tier free agents, he's still expected to garner interest as a middle-to-back of the rotation starter. Before departing for Oakland, Hammel owned an 8-5 record with a 2.98 ERA in 17 starts, and that's what has many teams intrigued.
Hammel is one of many starting pitchers that are available this offseason, so he might have to wait his turn to sign with a team, but it's still good news for the right-hander that nearly half the league has interest in him. Free-agent signings should pick up after the General Managers' Meetings conclude on Thursday morning.
