Ricky Nolasco appeared to be off-limits as recently as July, but the Marlins may have changed their stance on the righty. The team will give serious thought to trading Nolasco this offseason, a source who spoke to a front office member told Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
The biggest issue with Nolasco is his performance; he posted a 4.67 ERA, 6.5 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, 0.87 HR/9, and 45.1% groundball rate this year in 206 innings. In the past three seasons, Nolasco has posted SIERAs of 3.23, 3.37, and 3.64. However, the ERAs haven't matched up: 5.06, 4.51, and 4.67. The problem is that Nolasco has been so darn hittable, at about ten per nine innings over 2009-11. Nolasco's batted balls have been resulting in hits about 32% of the time, with line drives a frequent outcome.
Nolasco's velocity took a dip this year, as did his strikeout rate. But he remained extremely stingy with free passes, and showed signs of being able to prevent longballs too. There will probably be several sabermetric-inclined teams that consider Nolasco a buy-low candidate, especially if they can put him in front of a stronger defense.
On a personal level, Marlins manager Jack McKeon seemed to question Nolasco's determination, telling Rodriguez, "I can't figure him out. He's got too good of stuff to be a 10-12 pitcher…He better look in the mirror and see if he can make an adjustment or two. Evidently, the hitters are making adjustments to him."
Nolasco, 28, signed a three-year extension in December last year. He's owed $20.5MM over the next two seasons. I think the Marlins will be faced with a Wandy Rodriguez-type situation: there will be teams willing to take on that entire contract, but then the players offered won't be terribly appealing. We've seen in the past that when the Marlins want to move a player they do it, even if they don't appear to be getting great value for him. So it wouldn't be surprising to see Nolasco traded in November for a less-than-stellar return, freeing up cash for the Marlins to pursue a replacement.
The Royals need to get in on this guy…..
Agreed, but only at the right price. I’d much rather we pick up his entire contract and give the Marlins two B- prospects.
pelfrey and a piece of string
that’s too much actually
Having a conversation with yourself?
He took a mulligan.
not sure if a change of scenery would do Nolasco any good. But, he’s still relatively young. The marlins should get several calls
Nolasco is, and always has been an at best a number 4 or 5 pitcher. Marlins would be best to dump his payroll and use that money in combination with the increase in payroll to try and lock up a “back up ace” like CJ Wilson…just in-case JJ becomes the leagues most expensive closer.
Did JJ get a raise since he last signed his contract?
I think it’s funny how teams like the Marlins and Nats think they’ll sign CJ. CJ will either stay put or head to the west coast.
I would love to see the Pirates get him.
Welcome to Kansas City, Ricky!
Kansas City needs to focus on getting a big arm like shields that can come in and compliment the young arms and show leadership. Now if they plan on adding Nolasco and Shields then there cooking with gas.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Nolasco traded in November for a less-than-stellar return, freeing up cash for the Marlins to put directly in their pockets and not pursue a replacement.
From someone who has watched Nolasco over the years on FSN, and other Fish fans may back this up, but moving Nolasco to the AL may not be a very wise move.
he seems (to me) to be a classic large field pitcher, high GB rate or not and also has been hot/cold for years in stretches. Think of him as a weaker version of a Jeremy Guthrie IMO.
I would like to see the Twins pursue him. They could use a pitcher that can miss some bats once in a while. They have too many pitch-to-contact type of starters.
Twinkie stadium could be one place where he could thrive come to think of it, not being especially friendly to bats and like you mentioned… When will they stop drafting and also, looking on the open market for those pitch to contact/rubbish throwers like they have the last few years?
If the Marlins are planning to make a push next year, why need keep Nolasco. He’s repertoire is definitely above-average and with JJ’s misfortunes (Injuries) I’m sure the Marlins wouldn’t mind keeping him around.
Javy Vasquez > Ricky Nolasco
Big z for him??? Only have 1 year left on zambrano