Marlins president says Jose Fernandez isn't available, but team will listen

By: Andy Slater (@AndySlater)

Marlins team president David Samson appeared on 940-AM WINZ Thursday morning. Show host Jeff DeForrest asked Samson to respond to the report that the team's ace was on the trade block.

"We're definitely not shopping Jose Fernandez, not a chance. He's not available," Samson told DeForrest.

Confusingly, though, moments later it sounded as if Samson wasn't totally ruling a Fernandez trade.

"I don't see it as possible of him going anywhere, but teams come up with some crazy ideas, so it's our responsibility to always listen," Samson said. 

The star pitcher's name came up in a report earlier this week, signifying a trade for him may happen sooner than later.

On Wednesday, I reported on the chaotic culture inside the Marlins clubhouse. Some players, coaches, and management were unhappy with Fernandez. 

Fernandez isn't eligible for free agency until the 2018 season concludes.

Jose Fernandez reportedly on trade block

By: Andy Slater (@AndySlater)

Marlins president David Samson told the Miami Herald in early November that Jose Fernandez rejected a multi-year contract offer. Now the team's star pitcher is reportedly on the trading block.

SiriusXM's Craig Mish sent out a tweet on Tuesday saying "growing sentiment around baseball and internally with the Marlins is Jose Fernandez will be traded this offseason."

My sources within the organization told me on several occasions that Fernandez would eventually be dealt for certain reasons, but no timeline was provided. Mish's report says it could be very soon. 

As far as those reasons, I reported several last week on my weekday radio show on 940-AM WINZ and iHeartRadio.

I was told by multiple player sources that Fernandez wants out of Miami "ASAP". 

The Marlins also are not happy with Fernandez's attitude, which may come as a shock to many. "Jose is a different person on and off camera," one player source told me. "Jose talks to management like they are children," he added. 

Another player source told me Fernandez "gets a little selfish at times and isn't the best in the clubhouse." 

Mish told me by phone his sources say the Marlins are looking for a "franchise altering" deal" and will get one this offseason.

Samson told WPLG's Will Manso the Marlins "do not comment on trade rumors. Some players are more likely to be traded than others. Jose fits in the latter category." Samson concluded by saying Fernandez "is a Marlin for at least the next three years and hopefully longer." 

MLB.com writer Joe Frisaro reports multiple high placed sources tell him that the Marlins are "not shopping or intending to shop" Fernandez. Frisaro did say "conversations are ongoing with a number of clubs about possible trade scenarios. None are believed to include a major core player like Fernandez." 

Fernandez won't be eligible for free agency until the conclusion of the 2018 season.  

Cheetah predicts Kevin Harvick championship

By: Andy Slater (@AndySlater)

If you believe in cheetah predictions, put your money on Kevin Harvick. Koda, a 2-year-old cheetah at Zoo Miami, chose Harvick to win the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.

Koda was presented on Tuesday with four smaller model replicas for each of the driver's that are part of Sprint Cup's Championship 4.  Cheetahs are known to be very fast, so the quick choice of a winner was no surprise.

A video posted by Andy Slater (@andy_slater) on

Harvick is going for his second straight championship and will be challenged by Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, and Martin Truex Jr.

The Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway takes place Sunday Nov. 22 at 3:00 p.m. 

 

 

Strikers coach says he was fired by getting kicked out of hotel room

By: Andy Slater (@AndySlater)

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers soccer team didn't want their coach back next season. Instead of speaking with him, the team allegedly informed the hotel to kick him out of his room.

Gunter Kronsteiner is booked on a flight next Monday to leave South Florida since the season concluded. He was staying at the Sawgrass Grand hotel in Sunrise, FL. while coaching the Strikers. Friday, three days before his scheduled flight, he says hotel staff knocked on his door telling him he has to leave the room as soon as possible. Kronsteiner said Saturday at 6:30 a.m. hotel staff knocked on the door again.

"No one from the team told me my contract was not being renewed," Kronsteiner said when reached by phone. "I officially found out when someone from the hotel told me I had to leave because the Strikers ordered me out of the room they were paying for." 

Kronsteiner said he heard from a few people that work for the Strikers that the team may not renew his contract, but those were just rumblings.

"I tried numerous times after the season to reach someone in management, but no one ever got back to me," Kronsteiner said. 

Briefed on the story, a Strikers spokesman said "Gunter met with the CEO on Thursday about awards, but I am not sure what else may have been discussed." 

Kronsteiner said around 10:00am Saturday morning, the manager of the Sawgrass Grand got involved and informed him he'd be welcome to stay in his room until he needs to catch his flight on Monday --- even though the order came from the Strikers to kick him out. Kronsteiner even posted the news on his Facebook page. 

The Strikers are taking credit for it, though. Their spokesman said they "certainly never gave a directive to the hotel to kick him out. We learned of the possible miscommunication and rectified it."

The manager of the Sawgrass Grand did not return a phone call asking for comment. 

Kronsteiner was named Strikers head coach in June after his contract was previously not renewed following the 2014 season, in which he guided the team to their league's title match.

The Strikers play in the North American Soccer League. The team's season ended on Nov. 7 as they lost in a semi-final match to the New York Cosmos. 

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