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Miami Marlins Rumors: Adeiny Hechavarria wants Elvis Andrus like Extension

By Ehsan Kassim

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Last off-season, Adeiny Hechavarria rejected a contract extension from the Miami Marlins, betting on his ability to turn in a big 2015 season and earn a bigger pay-day.

This ended up working out well for Hechavarria, as he posted a 3.0 fWAR 2015 season.

It looks as if Hechavarria is willing to make a similar bet on himself this off-season, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports the Marlins short stop is seeking a deal similar to the one Elvis Andrus signed with the Texas Rangers, back in April of 2013.

"### The Marlins are less optimistic about signing shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, who declined their overtures last winter but remains under control through 2018. The Marlins were led to believe he wants a contract approaching the eight-year, $120 million deal that Texas gave Elvis Aldrus."

After posting a 82 wRC+ in 2014, Hech followed that up with a 86 wRC+ in 2015. This is likely the ceiling for his offensive game, unless he develops some unexpected power.

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Defensive metrics loved Hechavarria’s defense in 2o15, after being down on him in previous years. This made all the difference in Hechavarria being a replacement level player to an above league average player in 2015.

Hechavarria had a career fWAR of -2.1 coming into the 2015 season, so the Marlins talking extension with him before the season actually made little sense, unless they were getting a bargain extension deal. Hech bumped that career fWAR total up to 0.9 after his 2015 season.

If the reports are true, Hech asking for a deal like Andrus is extremely ridiculous. The Andrus deal is universally panned as a terrible deal for the Texas Rangers. Andrus has reverted to a little below league average player after signing his extension.

Andrus was actually younger and had a better career track record than Hechavarria at the time of his signing his extension. Andrus posted fWARs of 3.2, 2.1, 4.0, and 3.9 before he signed his mega extension at the age of 25-years old.

Hechavarria’s best season prior to this season was just 0.2, and he’ll be entering his age 27 season in 2016.

Hechavarria, like Andrus, offensive game is built around being a slap hitter. Both players are very dependent on their BABIP’s for maintaining a decent average and getting on base. Andrus does walk more than Hechavarria and is a better base runner, as well.

Banking $100 million plus on Hechavarria’s bat is a terrible idea, as it was for Andrus. Even in Andrus’ best season, he posted a slash line of .286/.349/.378, good for a 97 fWAR in 2012. That line, while good for a shortstop, is still below league average. Hechavarria’s best mark comes 14 percent below that performance.

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Both players get the majority (if not all) of their value from their defensive play. Neither player has won a gold glove yet in their careers, but have certainly played defense at the short stop position to warrant consideration for that honor.

However, this is not enough to warrant Hechavarria receiving a contract similar to Andrus. His contract was a mistake in the first place. The Miami Marlins don’t seem to be ready to offer this sort of contract to Hech anyways, so the point is moot.

Hechavarria’s agent might be doing his job in trying to secure his client the best possible contract, but these demands are way out there. These demands could very well be the reason the two sides don’t reach an extension this off-season, which may not be a terrible thing for the franchise.

Hechavarria is coming off a career year and has been a borderline terrible player throughout his career. The Miami Marlins would be better off taking Hech year-to-year in arbitration rather than rewarding him coming off a career year.

Either way, the chances of Hechavarria receiving a contract north of $100 million this off-season are an extreme long shot.

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