For the second time this offseason, the Florida Marlins have hit a stumbling block with one of their core players, this time it’s pitcher Ricky Nolasco according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
The Marlins‘ first priority entering the offseason lay with getting an Uggla extension done first. Whether that failed or succeeded, they were to move towards locking up Ricky Nolasco past his arbitration years (2011 and 2012) and his first free agent year (2013). Talks, which began back in September, haven’t been progressive and at this point money seems to be the holding pattern in a long-term deal, not years.
However, to consider a trade in an offseason which has shown the Marlins’ willingness to be competitive (rare free agent signings of Javier Vazquez, John Buck and Randy Choate) seems far-fetched unless the front office receives an overwhelming trade offer.
Already this offseason, Nolasco’s name has been dangled in trade offers and most notably was involved in a possible three-team trade scenario which would’ve had Zack Greinke headed to South Beach. Nevertheless, those trade talks fell apart before they ever got heated up.
Teams desiring for pitching in the wake of falling short on the Cliff Lee derby include the New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels. Look for the Marlins to acquire pitching in return in any deal for the right-hander.
Another option will be to let Ricky Nolasco go through the arbitration process and settle on a basic one year contract which could garner anywhere between $5-6 million considering he earned $3.8 million in 2010. The Marlins have club control of Nolasco through the 2012 season so he won’t end up slipping from the Marlins hands anytime soon.
Update: In a comment to MLBTR, Nolasco’s agent Matt Sosnick said, “Ricky is still hopeful that a deal can be reached for him to stay in Florida. We remain optimistic that something can be worked out with the team. We don’t see it as an impasse, just the normal course of discussions. Anyone who says we hit a stalemate is reading too much into it.”
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