The Marlins will non-tender right-hander Henderson Alvarez — their Opening Day starter from this past season — sources tell Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link).
The decision comes as somewhat of a surprise but seemingly indicates that the Marlins aren’t fully convinced that Alvarez will be able to contribute in 2016 as he recovers from right shoulder surgery that he underwent back in late July. Indications in September were that the Marlins felt comfortable tendering Alvarez, who projected to earn $4MM this year (per MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz), a contract for the 2016 season. However, recent reports have suggested that the team was no longer certain that would be the case, as Alvarez’s injury was expected to keep him out at least into the first month of the season.
Despite questions surrounding the health of his shoulder, Alvarez figures to draw widespread interest on the free-agent market. He’s still just 25 years of age (26 in April) and pitched to a sparkling 2.98 ERA with 5.2 K/9, 1.9 BB/9 and a 53.6 percent ground-ball rate from 2013-14 when healthy in Miami (including a a no-hitter on the final day of the season in 2013).
Alvarez has just over four years of big league service under his belt, meaning that any club which signs him to a big league deal will be able to control him for not only the 2016 season but also the 2017 campaign, via the arbitration process. Alvarez has never been one to miss many bats, but he’s a well-regarded arm that could certainly slot into the middle of a big league rotation, so long as his shoulder allows him to do so.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Thanks, Loria!
He would be great for a non contender like Philly. Give him a 2 year $7,000,000 deal. $2,000,000 this season $5,000,000 next year.
Real smart… As if they don’t already have a shortage of young arms…
If he’s slated to be ready for spring training, another guy I wouldn’t mind seeing signed to compete with Boyd, Fulmer, Lobstein for that final rotation spot
Loria’s an idiot but the rest of that org is not. I bet he really is done, or will be out all year instead of only the first month. Shoulders are like that.
That means Alvarez is a free agent? If thats the case, the angels should make a run at him
30 Starts in 2014.
4 in 2015.
If they thought he could/would make a comeback…I think they’d keep a 26 YO starter.
I talked about this before, what a foolish move for Miami.
Have you seen his medicals? I wouldn’t be so sure.
I assume this means he must have a more serious injury than previously known. Still wouldn’t mind seeing Arizona taking a shot on a one year deal if possible
Lets see what the braves do here. They have shown a willingness lately to gamble on high upside pitchers recovering from injuries. If they make him an offer then that is a sign he is recovering as expected. If they do not make an offer then there may be other issues and problems with his expected recovery.
the braves are gonna non-tender mike minor in about 20 minutes for exactly the same reasons
I know at first glance their situations are similar but alvarez has the higher upside and will come at a lower cost. Minor is likely going to be non tendered like beachy and medlen and offered an incentive laden contract.
He will be a good fit for that rangers
Roger that
This quite unexpected.. Hope he can re-join the bluejays again!
This has Friedman written all over it!
nearly everybody commenting on this thread seems certain that shoulder sugery for pitchers is, like, no big deal
So no pitcher has ever successfully come back from shoulder surgery? The UCL is the new rotator cuff. Pitchers came back from shoulder surgeries all the time. Nowadays, we have more rotator cuff strengthening exercises, so the UCL gets the stress placed on it. Anyways, shoulder surgery used to be the cool thing. Now it’s Tommy John. This isn’t new territory.
I’m not saying shoulder injuries instantly end careers, but I think you’re underestimating the effects of a serious shoulder injury.
It has been reported as not serious since the injury happened
Shoulder injuries are worse than elbows.
Legitimately a new low for us, and that’s saying something. $4 million?!? Totally disgusted. At least try to avoid arbitration with a deal for his 2 years remaining, rather than outright non tendering him, if you think he won’t contribute in 2016. We couldn’t afford to lose him for nothing, especially with all of the other important pieces we’ve lost or given away for nothing over the last year and a half, and the plans to do the same with Marcell Ozuna.
We might as well trade Ozuna, Gordon, Prado, Koehler, Ramos, Morris, Dunn, Brad Hand, David Phelps b/c we are clearly not a real baseball organization, and we have zero depth, with a barren farm system. We have flexibility to fix it with a couple of pitchers, but we refuse to spend anything, so what is the point? We should just target 2017-2018.
I would love for him to Be a Pirate. Would traded Pedro for him.
Come back home!!! Jays!!!
Mets should jump all over this is we trade a pitcher he would be a nice replacement
Would like to see the pirates get involved
This would be one of the stupidest moves for them but they already did much more
The partial tear in the elbow is one thing, but shoulder problems are another. I would bet less than 10% of pitchers return to their previous ability level and performance when they have serious labrum problems with the shoulder. I wish all the best for Alvarez, but this is probably a smart move for the Marlins.
Seems like a good ‘buy low’ candidate with heavy incentives on games played (or time not on the DL)
Pirates possibly?
Agree with Joeypower – let’s bring him back to the ‘416’. All upside. Air Canada flights leavin Miami every few hours!
Would be a great pickup for the reigning World Series Champions.