Marlins star Jose Fernandez, who shut out the Reds on Thursday, could have been pitching for the other side if things went differently in 2011, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes. Fernandez was initially ruled ineligible by the Florida High School Association four years ago for issues stemming from his defection from Cuba. The Reds had a $1.3MM deal ready for Fernandez if he lost his appeal, but the hurler ultimately got the decision overturned.
“I talked to them,” Fernandez said. “But I ended up playing my senior year.