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Owner Jeffrey Loria arrived in Orlando Wednesday pronouncing the club’s desire to have one of the toughest bullpens in the league. They’ve already acquired four major league ready relievers in the Andrew Miller, Cameron Maybin and Dan Uggla trades.
A source said the Marlins have now shifted their focus a bit to starting pitching. The Marlins aren’t close on anything, but they’re exploring both the free agent and trade market for a starter to compliment Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad. They have some internal options for that No. 5 spot, including Sean West, Alex Sanabia, Elih Villanueva and Tom Koehler, but the Marlins appear to have enough money to sign or acquire a moderately priced veteran.
Carl Pavano’s name has been tossed around because of his previous ties to the Marlins and relationship with Loria. Problem there is that Pavano arguably is the best available starter on the market behind Cliff Lee and he’s likely looking for a contract that reflects that. That Pavano is a type A free agent wouldn’t impact the Marlins. The top 15 picks are protected and the Marlins have the 14th overall selection in 2011. If the Marlins do sign a Type A guy that’s been offered salary arbitration they would lose their second round pick.
A good alternative to Pavano might be Javier Vazquez. The Marlins ownership group had him in Montreal. Vazquez is coming off a rough year with the Yankees, but he’s been a far better pitcher in the National League. As recently as 2009 with the Braves, Vazquez was 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA. Before 2010, when he totaled 157 2/3 innings for the Yankees, Vazquez had tossed 198 or more innings in 10 consecutive seasons.
Vazquez is represented by the Sam and Seth Levinsons’ ACES group, the same agency that handles John Buck. You have to wonder whether Vazquez’s name didn’t come up when the Marlins were ironing out the three-year deal for Buck.
Some other seasoned free agent starters that might be had for reasonable cost on short-term deals: Chris Young, Jeff Francis, Aaron Harang, Brad Penny, Freddy Garcia and Ben Sheets.
A source said the Marlins have now shifted their focus a bit to starting pitching. The Marlins aren’t close on anything, but they’re exploring both the free agent and trade market for a starter to compliment Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad. They have some internal options for that No. 5 spot, including Sean West, Alex Sanabia, Elih Villanueva and Tom Koehler, but the Marlins appear to have enough money to sign or acquire a moderately priced veteran.
Carl Pavano’s name has been tossed around because of his previous ties to the Marlins and relationship with Loria. Problem there is that Pavano arguably is the best available starter on the market behind Cliff Lee and he’s likely looking for a contract that reflects that. That Pavano is a type A free agent wouldn’t impact the Marlins. The top 15 picks are protected and the Marlins have the 14th overall selection in 2011. If the Marlins do sign a Type A guy that’s been offered salary arbitration they would lose their second round pick.
A good alternative to Pavano might be Javier Vazquez. The Marlins ownership group had him in Montreal. Vazquez is coming off a rough year with the Yankees, but he’s been a far better pitcher in the National League. As recently as 2009 with the Braves, Vazquez was 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA. Before 2010, when he totaled 157 2/3 innings for the Yankees, Vazquez had tossed 198 or more innings in 10 consecutive seasons.
Vazquez is represented by the Sam and Seth Levinsons’ ACES group, the same agency that handles John Buck. You have to wonder whether Vazquez’s name didn’t come up when the Marlins were ironing out the three-year deal for Buck.
Some other seasoned free agent starters that might be had for reasonable cost on short-term deals: Chris Young, Jeff Francis, Aaron Harang, Brad Penny, Freddy Garcia and Ben Sheets.
Vazquez back in the NL would be wonderful
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