Miami was able to sign Dee Gordon to an extension, but getting Jose Fernandez to agree to a new deal is unlikely. There is "no word of long-term extension hope now with Fernandez," according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
Fernandez is one of the Marlins' arbitration eligible players, but the Marlins have expressed interest in extending him in the past. He is still under club control and the Marlins might temporarily end extension talks as a result.
Although Fernandez appears to be pleased pitching in Miami, he is represented by Scott Boras. Boras is not thought to have the best relationship with the Marlins, and now that Dan Jennings is working within the Nationals' front office, the relationship between the Marlins and Boras might not be improving.
While Boras is known to encourage his clients to pursue extensive deals as free agents, his perception of the Marlins could have changed slightly this week. Miami signed Wei-Yin Chen, another pitcher Boras represents, to a five-year, $50 million deal Tuesday afternoon. Chen's deal is one of the largest the Marlins have ever given to a starting pitchers. Boras might be more willing to work with the Marlins after the club signed Chen to a lengthy contract.
The Marlins have rightfully been hesitant to extend pitchers in the past and that is unlikely to change in the future. Fernandez has been out with Tommy John surgery and most recently a shoulder injury. He will likely have success in 2016, but the Marlins might now be hesitant to give Fernandez an extensive deal.
Though Fernandez has been mentioned in trade rumors, it does not appear the Marlins will trade him this off-season. He is the ace of the pitching staff, which now features a dominant No. 2 starting option in Chen.
For Fernandez to even consider an extension, the Marlins might have to make an offer significantly greater than the deal they gave Chen. But that is unlikely to be an issue, since Dee Gordon, Christian Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton, although all position players, have received notable extensions.
Miami will likely be unable to extend Fernandez prior to Friday's deadline, but any discussions could prove to be valuable. The Marlins are locking up core pieces and Fernandez is considered a core piece.