According to ESPN's Jim Bowden, the Marlins are still in on Shields. Plus links on Miami's rotation, Marcell Ozuna, and Dan Haren.
Marlins remain hopeful that Dan Haren changes his mind and reports by Spring Training and they remain in hunt for James Shields#Marlins
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) January 5, 2015Henderson Alvarez, Mat Latos, Jarred Cosart and Tom Koehler should make up the top three on the staff, with Haren probably taking the fourth spot ahead of Tom Koehler. Now, Koehler should hold that spot after an impressive 2.5 WAR 2014 season, leaving the Marlins with an open spot in the rotation.
Needless to say, the Marlins duo places much better from an offensive standpoint than they do from a defensive grading. Of the six categories, Hechavarria and Gordon fared particularly well in the categories directly impacted by base-running (BSR and wRC+), but obviously trailed the curve when it came to power and settled down the middle when it came to simply getting on base and adding runs.
-Haren not intending on joining Marlins " The Fish Pond
Dan Haren has informed the Marlins that his preference remains to pitch out West, and for a team that has Spring Training in Arizona. The 34-year-old California native had been weighing his options sinced he was traded to Miami from the Dodgers on Dec. 10. If Miami cannot work out a trade, it is not clear yet if the 12-year big league veteran will retire.
-Haren reiterates his preference to pitch out West | marlins.com
Dan Haren has informed the Marlins that his preference remains to pitch out West, and for a team that has Spring Training in Arizona. The 34-year-old California native had been weighing his options since he was traded to Miami from the Dodgers on Dec. 10.
-Who will win fifth spot in Marlins' rotation? | marlins.com
There are no shortage of candidates for what appears to be one vacant spot in the Marlins' rotation. The competition got a little more interesting when David Phelps was brought into the mix via a trade with the Yankees.
Around The League
-Market for Shields remains in flux | MLB.com
The Red Sox reportedly have not had much recent discussion with free-agent starting pitcher James Shields, according to ESPN and Sirius XM's Jim Bowden, leaving the remaining market for the right-hander largely unknown.
-Pioneering Scott blazed a new trail in sports broadcasting | MLB.com
His was a new voice, uniquely his own. It spoke to people who hadn't been spoken to before and changed the landscape of broadcasting forever. In that way, Stuart Scott's legacy is simple.
-2015 Hall of Fame class set to be unveiled Tuesday | MLB.com
NEW YORK -- Anticipation about the Class of 2015 is very high, and for the second consecutive year, it's possible a large new group of players will be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Electees from the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot are set to be announced on Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET, with induction scheduled for July 26. As always, Hall president Jeff Idelson will make the presentation live on MLB Network and MLB.com. Any new Hall of Famers would then be introduced at a media conference on Wednesday at the famous Waldorf Astoria New York.
At Fish Stripes
-Martin Prado trade: Marlins traded Domingo German to cover Garrett Jones - Fish Stripes
The primary reason the Miami Marlins eventually had to trade starting pitching prospect Domingo German was to cover the inclusion of Garrett Jones into the deal.
-Marlins' Cole Gillespie could serve as backup outfielder - Fish Stripes
Gillespie has major league experience and would not require the Marlins to make a major transaction. Plus links on Miami's goals for 2015 and a review of the 2012 trade with Toronto.
-A retrospective look on the 2012 Marlins-Blue Jays trade - Fish Stripes
The Marlins-Blue Jays trade of 2012 was always a good baseball trade that was bad in the context of the franchise. Two years should not and have not changed that result.
-Have the Miami Marlins done enough to compete in 2015? - Fish Stripes
The Marlins are seeking improvement in 2015, but has the club done enough to compete starting in April?