Report: Astros could be making ‘strong push’ for Jose Fernandez
The trade rumors surrounding Jose Fernandez are gaining momentum by the hour, as several teams are reportedly interested in acquiring the Miami Marlins ace.
Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reports that an unidentified team is making a “strong push” for Fernandez, and some MLB executives believe that team is the Astros.
The Marlins have said publicly that they are not interested in trading Fernandez, but it seems as though they are starting to realize the type of massive package they could get in return for the 23-year-old. A previous report said the chances of Miami dealing Fernandez have increased to just under 50 percent, with the Dodgers, Yankees and Diamondbacks all believed to have interest.
As Stark notes, Fernandez would make sense for the Astros since he has a relatively low salary as a first-time arbitration-eligible player. Houston has a great farm system and multiple prospects who have already played at the Major League level.
While it still seems like Miami would be better off hanging onto Fernandez and building around him, you can’t ignore the talk about him reportedly creating tension in the clubhouse last season. Perhaps the Marlins have been playing coy and creating desperation among teams who want to land the righthander.
