The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off Major League Baseball’s annual Winter Meetings with a splash by reportedly trading for Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman in exchange for two prospects.
Having acquired an elite reliever, the Dodgers are also said to be discussing a trade for Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez.
Los Angeles begun the process of moving on from Zack Greinke by reportedly agreeing to a three-year deal with Hisashi Iwakuma.
However, while Iwakuma adds more depth to starting rotation, he isn’t a viable No. 2 starter behind Clayton Kershaw. Fernandez certainly fits that description, though the Marlins understandably desire quite the haul for the 23-year-old righty.
According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, that entailed Miami asking the Dodgers for Corey Seager and Julio Urias:
How exorbitant is the price on Jose Fernandez? Sources say the Marlins have asked the Dodgers for Julio Urias and Corey Seager.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2015
While the Dodgers rejected that proposal, the two teams continue to discuss a trade for Fernandez:
Dodgers said no — can't imagine Seager going anywhere for anyone — but the sides have continued talking about plenty, including Fernandez.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2015
Seager began last season with Double-A Tulsa, but was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City after 20 games. He hit a combined .293/.344/.487 with 18 home runs, 37 doubles, 76 RBIs, a .407 wOBA and 151 wRC+.
The Dodgers called up their prized shortstop in September and Seager continued to impress. En route to taking over for Jimmy Rollins, who at the time of Seager’s promotion was injured, the 21 year old hit .337/.425/.561 with a .421 wOBA and 175 wRC+ in 113 plate appearances over 27 regular-season games.
Seager then started four of five National League Division Series games against the New York Mets. Urias spent the majority of last season with Double-A Tulsa, though also received two starts with the Oklahoma City Dodgers.
Additionally, Urias made two starts with the Arizona League Dodgers, and one for High-A Rancho Cucamonga after undergoing elective eye surgery. The 18-year-old lefty was 3-4 with a 2.77 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and had 74 strikeouts to 15 walks in 68.1 innings over 13 starts with the Drillers.
Urias threw a combined 80.1 innings last season, which fell short of the 87.2 innings he tossed over 25 games (20 starts) with the Quakes in 2014. Dating back to 2014, the Dodgers have largely refused to include Joc Pederson, Seager and Urias in any trade talks.
Recovering from a May 2014 Tommy John surgery, Fernandez didn’t make his 2015 debut July 2. He finished the year 6-1 with a 2.92 ERA, 2.24 FIP, 1.16 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts to 14 walks over 11 starts (64.2 innings).
