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Marlins have been projecting June or July for Jose Fernandez's return.This AM, Dan Jennings told Jim Bowden between June 15 and July 15.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) February 8, 2015
Very key comment by Dan Jennings regarding Dan Haren that he is excited to be a #Marlins w/ Shields likely out. Haren is huge part.
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) February 8, 2015
Catcher was once again a point of weakness for the Miami Marlins in 2014. The team signed Jarrod Saltalamacchia to a three-year, $21 million contract before the season as he was coming off a career year with the Boston Red Sox where he hit .273/.338/.466, had a 117 wRC+ and was worth 3.5 fWAR (all career-high numbers).
That’s some risky talk for a 34 year-old whose skills have fallen off in recent years. Haren isn’t the top of the rotation arm he once was. Last year with the Dodgers Haren had a 4.02 ERA, 4.09 FIP and a 7.0 K/9 which was his lowest mark since 2005, his first full season as an MLB starter. He was a one-win player according to Fangraphs, but a notch below replacement level by Baseball Reference factors.
-Redmond to test different lineups in Spring Training | marlins.com
The Marlins' front office spent much of the offseason bringing in some new pieces to round out the club's lineup. When Spring Training gets rolling in two weeks, manager Mike Redmond will tinker with the parts and eventually come up with a batting order.
-Dunn signs two-year deal, avoids arbitration hearing | marlins.com
The Marlins avoided an arbitration hearing with Mike Dunn on Sunday night by signing the left-hander to a two-year contract, according to his agent Tom O'Connell. The primary lefty in Miami's bullpen, Dunn will make $2.35 million this year and $3.45 million in 2016. He has a chance to earn another $100,000 in incentives.
-Jennings: Haren on board, Fernandez may be ready in June | marlins.com
Dan Haren is ready to be part of the Marlins' rotation and ace Jose Fernandez could be back as early as June 15, according to general manager Dan Jennings. Jennings addressed Haren and Fernandez on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio on Sunday, and noted Miami still may add a reliever before Spring Training begins on Feb. 20.
Around The League
-These players outperformed scouts' expectations. | SportsonEarth.com : Andrew Simon Article
No matter how diligently prospect gurus work and how sharply they evaluate talent, they are bound to have plenty of misfires and miss many future stars. Here are the best current players at each position that were never ranked as top prospects.
-Orioles in position to prove us wrong once again | MLB.com
Have you seen the projections? They're not kind to your defending American League East champion Orioles. PECOTA has them at 78 wins, last in the East. ZIPs has them at 79 wins, last in the East. Buck Showalter's mom has them at 120 wins, first in the East, but nobody seems interested in citing her projections model. Actually, I made that up about Showalter's mom, but the veteran skipper was en route to visit her when we spoke on the phone the other day. Showalter, as lively as ever, embraces all the Orioles hate taking place in the world of projections.
-Reds, Frazier agree to 2-year deal | MLB.com
CINCINNATI -- The Reds and All-Star third baseman Todd Frazier avoided arbitration on Sunday by agreeing to a two-year, $12 million contract. Frazier, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason, will earn $4.5 million in 2015 and $7.5 million in '16, and he will have one year of arbitration eligibility remaining at the end of the deal.
-A's still AL West contenders despite shakeup | MLB.com
OAKLAND -- Sell high, buy low, and stockpile dozens of years of team control on an abundance of talent. This is how A's general manager Billy Beane spent his offseason, often to the soundtrack of groans from a skeptical fanbase that watched him trade several All-Stars, including Josh Donaldson, Jeff Samardzija and Brandon Moss.
At Fish Stripes
-Marlins trade Arquimedes Caminero - Fish Stripes
The reliever now heads to Pittsburgh.
-Marlins win arbitration case with Mat Latos - Fish Stripes
The veteran will make $9.4 million in 2015. Plus links on Dan Haren and former Marlin Arquimedes Caminero.
-Marlins' chances at James Shields complicated by Dan Haren situation - Fish Stripes
The Dan Haren aspect of the Miami Marlins' trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers continues to confound, as his status leaves the team in limbo regarding their supposed pursuit of James Shields.
-Marlins have 'zero percent' chance of signing James Shields - Fish Stripes
The 33-year old has been linked to the Marlins this offseason, but The Miami Herald reports he likely will not sign with Miami.