Mat Latos and Marlins unable to agree on arbitration deal
by Jonathan Ebanks | Thu, Jan 22nd 10:51am EST
Pitcher Mat Latos and the Miami Marlins remained $1 million apart on arbitration deal negotiations. Mat Latos filed for $10.4 million, while the team filed for $9.4 million. (Marlin Maniac)
Fantasy Impact:
Matt Swartz of MLB Trade Rumors projected Latos to earn only $8.4 million this year, so both of those figures seem high. Latos was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for prospects Anthony DeSclafani and Chad Wallach. Latos had a 3.25 ERA over 102 1/3 innings with 6.5 strikeouts and 2.3 walks per nine innings in 2014. Latos was good overall in 2014, but Jeff Zimmerman of Fangraphs had empirically concluded that Latos' pitch velocity is unlikely to ever return, so the heat he threw towards the beginning of his burgeoning MLB career seems to be gone for good. In 2012 and 2013, Latos struck out 8.0 hitters per nine innings, so the velocity dip last season reflects the decline in strikeouts. All things considered, the Marlins will win arbitration and Latos will earn $9.4 million in 2015. That salary would be fully covered by the Dodgers with the money they sent to Miami if Dan Haren can't be traded.
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