Jose Fernandez is reportedly available for a "very very high" price

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By: Andy Slater

Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings begin Sunday, but the talks have already started. 

The Marlins discussed trading Jose Fernandez to the Arizona Diamondbacks at a "very very high" price, according to Phoenix sports radio host John Gambadoro. 

Marlins president of baseball operations, Michael Hill, told the Associated Press on Thursday that the team is "not shopping" Fernandez. 

While the Marlins may not be doing the shopping, teams have certainly inquired about the star pitcher --- as Sirius XM's Craig Mish previously reported.

Fernandez approached Marlins brass on multiple occasions last season asking when he'd be dealt, something that I noted in November. 

Will Fernandez get his trade wish and, if so, will the Marlins get their high asking price? We may find out soon.

 

(Photo: USATI)

Yahoo baseball writer loves bashing the Marlins

By: Andy Slater

There are many people that dislike the Marlins. Yahoo Sports baseball writer Jeff Passan seems to be one of those many and he spreads the message annually.

Passan posted a piece on Tuesday on how Barry Bonds would regret becoming a Marlins hitting coach if he accepts the reported offer. 

"For there is no greater set of fools in baseball than Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and president David Samson," Passan wrote. 

If you missed Passan's other "I don't like the Marlins" stories, here they are for your reading enjoyment:


(July 2012) Marlins' Jeffrey Loria and David Samson conned Miami, lined their pockets and held a fire sale.

(Nov. 2012) Marlins trade is a baseball tragedy, and Bud Selig deserves his share of blame.

(Feb. 2013) Jeffrey Loria's spin cycle: Separating fact from flack for Marlins fans.

(Nov. 2014) Giancarlo Stanton playing a dangerous game: believing in the Marlins.

My apologies if I missed any. 

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Yasiel Puig's bar scuffle was against MMA fighter

By: Andy Slater (@AndySlater)

Yasiel Puig has faced tough opponents throughout his Los Angeles Dodgers career. Wednesday night at a Miami bar, he faced an MMA fighter. 

Puig punched 26-year-old bouncer Anthony Garavito at Blue Martini in Miami. The video of the punch was shown to Miami police, but not released. 

Garavito last fought for 'Fight Time Promotions' in 2012. 

Miami police say after Puig exchanged words with his sister inside the bar, he was told to leave. Upon leaving, a scuffle with Garavito and other bar security ensued.

Puig left with a swollen left eye. Garavito had a minor cut on his lip, but refused to be treated by Miami Fire Rescue. 

No charges were filed. 

 

(Photo Credit: USA Today, Flickr)

Opinion: The Florida Panthers need to win now or make changes

By: Andy Slater (@AndySlater)

The Florida Panthers recently changed ownership. The team is staying in South Florida, but should their coach and general manager? If they don't start winning immediately, the answer is no. 

Gerard Gallant was named the Panthers head coach in 2014. To date: 46 wins, 57 losses.

Dale Tallon was named the Panthers general manager in 2010. To date: 158 wins, 239 losses.

The Panthers are owned by Vincent Viola and Doug Cifu --- two guys who are passionate, very successful businessmen, and are absolutely all about winning.

Winning, though, isn't something the Panthers have been doing a lot of. 

The franchise's last playoff-series win came before ground was broken on their arena, BB&T Center, 19 years ago. 

There were league-wide expectations this season for the Panthers that they'd be playing postseason hockey. Plenty of games remain, but they currently find themselves in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings --- five points back of the final playoff spot.

The Panthers highest paid forward, Dave Bolland, will be benched for the second straight game Friday night. Tallon signed Bolland to a $27.5 million, five-year deal in 2014. Bolland has just seven goals in 71 games since arriving.

Gallant is the team's fourth head coach since Tallon became the Panthers GM in 2010. Peter DeBoer --- not hired by Tallon --- was fired in 2011. Tallon named Kevin Dineen head coach and then fired him 16 games into his third season. Peter Horachek took over for Dineen in 2014. Horachek coached the team's final 66 games and was then dismissed.

Do the Panthers have the right ownership? Yes.

Do the Panthers have the right combinations on the ice? It's hard to tell because they keep changing.

Do the Panthers have the right coach and GM? Win now or the answer is no. 

 

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Beckham's group may have changed the plan for Miami soccer stadium

By: Andy Slater (@AndySlater)

It sounds like David Beckham's group may have scrapped the idea of building a soccer stadium next to Marlins Park.

Tim Leiweke spoke to CNBC's Jane Wells on Tuesday. Leiweke recently joined Beckham's group.  

"I think we have found a site, "Leiweke told Wells. "It's probably different than what people think we're doing, but we're gonna know in the next several days..."

Beckham has promised to bring an MLS team to Miami. We've heard about this for months. Actually, almost two years. 

Six weeks ago, Beckham reportedly told UK's Daily Star that Miami's new soccer club "should be up and running within six weeks." 

After Beckham was not able to secure waterfront land, a site next to Marlins Park became the group's prime target.

Leiweke mentioned to Wells that the group will meet with MLS and the board of governors next weekend.

Will an announcement of a new site come soon? We'll see.

At this rate, though, it may take another six weeks. 

 

(Photo Credit: AP)