Yelich and Marlins have ‘irretrievably broken’ relationship, agent says

By Brandon Carusillo |

MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 19: Christian Yelich

There’s been speculation that Christian Yelich won’t be apart of the Miami Marlins’ future plans.

According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, it would be in the best interests of both Yelich and the organization if the Marlins trade him before the start of spring training, his agent told ESPN on Tuesday. This figures to add some sizzle to the MLB hot stove that has been frigid this offseason.

“They have a plan,” Longo told Crasnick. “I respect that plan, but that plan shouldn’t include Christian at this point in his career. He’s in the middle of the best years of his career, and having him be part of a 100-loss season is not really where [we] want to see him going.”

Yelich, 26, is a solid offensive player that the Marlins front office can count on for production at a bargain price. The former Silver Slugger has been durable by playing at least 155 games the past two season, while averaging a .290 batting average and having pop for about 18-21 home runs. All while making $7 million dollars next year. Talk about a hometown discount.

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“The relationship between player and team is irretrievably broken. It’s soured. He’s part of the old ownership regime.

The new ownership regime needs to get new parts into this plan and move forward, and he needs to get on with his career where he’s got a chance to win. The big issue is him winning and winning now.”

Longo’s job is to provide the best for Yelich, so it’s understandable to see the growing frustration for the agent when his client and the organization are at odds — especially after the Winter Meetings have passed.

With many teams refusing to pay big money for free agents, Yelich likely would have been a hot commodity at a cheap price during the meetings. There were reports that Yelich was unhappy with the Marlins’ offseason and overall direction of the team, but Marlins president Michael Hill was in no rush to deal the Gold Glover.

“We used the last couple weeks continuing to lay the foundation for building a first-class, winning organization,” said Hill in a statement to Crasnick. “Should we feel like we need to make a trade involving any of our under-contract, controllable players, we will be the ones who initiate that conversation and always do what’s best for the organization.”

Crasnick points out plenty of teams have had interest in Yelich before this offseason. He writes:

Several industry sources said Hill has been fielding trade offers on Yelich from throughout the game in recent weeks. The Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies are among the clubs that have inquired about Yelich at various points this offseason.

The head-scratching part about all of this is if the Marlins knew they were rebuilding, why exclude Yelich from notification? Now that the sides have failed to communicate, the Marlins are caught with less leverage on the market with teams knowing Yelich and his agent are putting pressure on Miami to deal him.

Next: Tyler Kolek needs a breakout 2018

Delaying the seemingly inevitable sale of Yelich, while ruining a relationship with him in the process, is the latest addition to the long list of blasphemous organizational failures by Jeter and company.

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