Major League Baseball is going through a major change this year and it is owed all to the free agency that has been abuzz since the off season started earlier in November. Thirty ball clubs from the National League and the American
League are looking to add more dimensions to their rosters and one team in particular, has been quite active.
The Florida Marlins are steering home a great deal of players in the off season and for a team that is looking to top the National League East, this is not surprising. The Marlins made the third spot in the division by punching
home 80 wins from 162 games over the regular season. The task to accomplish more in a little span of time may seem ultimately difficult with just minor league replacement players, but the side is filling the gap with stars from the free agency.
Thus far the Marlins have been one of the most active teams in the year. Their recent sale included one of their highest rated stars, Dan Uggla, who made his way to the Atlanta Braves, in exchange for Mike Dunn and Omar Infante.
The Florida based club has been doing a lot to strengthen its bullpen and effective swaps have been made across both leagues for the right cache of stars.
Javier Vazquez is the new man to head over to Florida and he comes from the New York Yankees, following his contract expiration, this season. The bullpen veteran moved over to the National League on a no-trade, no-arbitration clause.
The move sees the ace go to the Marlins on a one year contract worth $7 million. The Puerto Rican is a very established player in Major League Baseball and his contribution last season to the Yanks saw the club win 10 in 26 starts.
Vazquez may be 34 but he has much to offer in the bullpen if his credentials do not prove him right to be in the starting pitchers rotation. Though it must be added that Javier hasn’t had an impressive season this year, as 26 game
starts saw him lose 10 fixtures as well. He went out heavily in most games, earning a runs average of 5.32. However he did strike out 121 hitters in the process, averaging almost 4 batters per game.
A physical examination is all that is left to see the deal sealed. The move is almost official and with this transfer news, the Marlins can enjoy a leap of confidence in the coming season.
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