The Marlins officially signed Ricky Nolasco to a three-year contract extension worth $26.5MM today according to a team press release. He can earn another $1.5MM based on innings pitched. The deal buys out the right-hander's two remaining years of arbitration eligibility as well as one year of free agency.
Nolasco becomes the second Marlins' starter to agree to a contract extension in as many offseasons. Last year the team signed staff ace Josh Johnson to a four-year contract worth $39MM, buying out two years of arbitration eligibility and two years of free agency. Both Nolasco and Johnson are represented by Matt Sosnick, who also landed a six-year, $51MM contract extension for Jay Bruce this offseason.
Earlier this month we heard that the two sides had hit a bit of a snag in their negotiations, but Sosnick told us that they remained optimistic about getting a deal done. Clearly, his optimism was warranted. Nolasco had been mentioned as a trade candidate if the two sides were unable to work out a new contract.
The 28-year-old posted a 4.51 ERA in 157.2 innings this past season, though he once again put up stunning peripheral stats. Nolasco struck out 8.4 batters per nine innings pitched and walked just 1.8 per nine unintentionally. For his career, he owns an 8.0 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 (again removing intentional walks), though he is a bit homer prone (1.2 HR/9).
MLB.com's Joe Frisaro originally reported that the two sides were on the verge of a deal while Juan C. Rodriguez of The Sun Sentinel reported the agreement.
