Los Angeles Dodgers

Sources: Miller deal only heightened Marlins' expectations for Jose Fernandez

Published Dec. 22, 2015 7:47 p.m. ET

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have many reasons to not be fond of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

According to FOX Sports MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers are still having talks with the Miami Marlins about ace Jose Fernandez, but the Diamondbacks' recent trade with the Atlanta Braves only increased the Marlins' expectation for the right-hander, which we were already said to be high.

In exchange for the 25-year-old Miller, the D-backs parted ways with a tremendous haul of talent, including No. 1 pick Dansby Swanson and top prospects Ender Inciarte and Aaron Blair.

Fernandez, 23, is believed to have even more potential than Miller despite coming off Tommy John surgery, which has reportedly upped Miami's demands for the 2013 NL Rookie of the Year.

According to reports, the Marlins were asking for Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson and top prospects Julio Urias and Jose De Leon in exchange for Fernandez prior to the Miller trade.

"It remains difficult to imagine the teams matching up on a trade unless Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria decides he wants Fernandez gone," Rosenthal writes.

With the Diamondbacks shockingly signing free agent Zack Greinke and trading for Miller, in whom the Dodgers were also said to be interested, Los Angeles is in major need of elite starting pitching.

After a failed deal with Hisashi Iwakuma, the Dodgers have yet to add to their rotation this offseason, which would make the addition of a top-tier starter like Fernandez crucial.