The Marlins released reliever Mike MacDougal, according to the team's media relations department. MacDougal had signed a minor league deal on February 18th. He was knocked around in five spring appearances.
MacDougal provided an interesting test case for how highly teams value saves, as he saved 20 in 21 tries last year but walked more than he struck out. The save total didn't get MacDougal very far, though Fernando Rodney appears to have earned several million extra for his. MacDougal does share a couple of positive traits with Rodney: he averages over 95 mph on his fastball, and he gets tons of groundballs.
I think MacDougal’s skillset is more suited for a 6th-7th inning ‘jambreaker’ with is ability to avoid hits and get ground balls. Sending a guy out like MacDougal who walks so many guys is not a good idea in the 9th but if you have a couple guys on and a base or two open you can walk MacDougal out there to get you out of the jam. He may give up a walk or two but he should be able to induce a DP ground ball (58% career GB%) or eventually get an out (.261 career BAA).
This was really surprising to me…..not.
Nathan’s temp replacement?
Sounds possible.
That’s odd. I thought he’d be a lock to make their wide open bullpen.
Twins..
Who’s closing for the fish? Leo Nunez? I’m curious to know what you guys see as his projections this coming year…
time for the nats to get him back