The Marlins are considering free agent southpaw Joe Saunders, reports ESPN's Buster Olney (via Twitter). If signed, Saunders would join Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez, leaving Chris Volstad as either rotation depth or perhaps a trade candidate.
Saunders was non-tendered by the Diamondbacks two weeks ago and since then has been connected to a number of teams, including the Red Sox, Rockies, Reds and Tigers. Saunders posted a 3.69 ERA in 33 starts for Arizona last year, though his advanced metrics (a 4.71 SIERA and a 4.38 xFIP) and low strikeout totals (4.6 K/9) indicate that Saunders received some good fortune in 2011.
MLB.com's Joe Frisaro (via Twitter) is less optimistic about a Saunders/Marlins pairing, saying the club "may eventually seek" Saunders but with Buehrle already in the fold, Miami "is not ideally looking to have two soft tossing lefties in their rotation." Saunders, however, threw 212 innings last year and when combined with Buehrle (205 1/3 IP), Nolasco (206), Sanchez (196 1/3), he would add even more durability to a rotation whose ace (Johnson) is still a question mark after missing much of last year with a shoulder injury.
Finally. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a headline that says “Marlins Interested In…”
Now the Marlins are coming back down to reality after signing those “marquee” names. Well, after all they did sign most of them…
He gave the marlins fits last year. I can see taking him. Definite upgrade over Volstad.
Who isn’t an upgrade over Volstad? Doug Davis…?
In reality, I’m an upgrade over Volstad so Saunders would be like bringing in Steve Carlton to replace Volstad.
DO IT! Bring him in, please. Saunders>>>>>>>>>>>>Volstad. I love the idea of having 2 lefties in the rotation to complement the 3 righties. Then we can sign Cespedes and trade Gaby!
I would really like this signing. Adding more pitching depth is always a good idea, no matter how good you are. Especially with Johnson as your ace. I, and I’m sure Marlin fans, wish he could stay healthy…
A soft-tossing lefty is better than a righty who can’t keep the ball in the park.The Marlins have been giving too many chances to Volstad, and he doesn’t even have that much going for him. They gave too many chances to Andrew Miller too, but at least Miller was a hard-throwing lefty. Too bad he couldn’t control the ball to save his life.
Bingo!
If at the end of the day we’re not a match for Saunders, I like to see the Fish going after this type of pitcher. Not going to command a crazy salary, durable for 200+ innings, and it helps he’s a lefty.
There are plenty of pitchers like this in the pool. So, if not Saunders, then someone like it.
ugh. A no velocity, backend lefty starter. The Braves’ kryptonite.
The Phillies as well.
And the Marlins as well. Heck, I’m sure the entire division was glad Jamie Moyer had to take a year off.
no
Lol. Have to laugh every time I see the name Joe Saunders. Two brownie points if you can guess why!
I’m bemused by the interest in Saunders. He’s essentially an older version of John Lannan, the difference being Lannan throws a little harder and has a slighter higher K/9 rate. (As they say “you can look it up.”) Would there be this much interest in Lannan if he were a free agent? If the answer is “yes” then I suddenly feel good about the Nats’ 2012 rotation.
So the addition of Gio to be put alongside Strasburg and Zimmerman didn’t already have you feeling good about the Nats 2012 rotation?
Good point. I should say “better.”
I like the idea of Saunders to the fish. Slot him in the back of the rotation. Go Johnson, Nol, Bueherle, Sanchez, Saunders… Nice solid rotation if Johnson can stay healthy. NL East is starting to shape up to be a tough division.
Phillies are solid
Braves are solid… but they really need another bat
Fish are looking pretty good
Nats rotation is pretty sick now with Gio. Watch out of they sign Fielder too…
Braves won’t be solid as long as they have Fredi Gonzalez managing.
Sanchez should be their #2 or maybe the opening day starter because even though JJ is untouchable, he NEVER stays healthy. Can’t imagine how good he’d be if he pitched 200 innings.
I’m starting to think people keep saying he never stays healthy not because they can’t imagine how good he’d be, but are scared to imagine.
Already condemning him to constant injury problems, and the man’s only 27.
The Marlins went from being on welfare to being a millionaire.They remind me of the Jeffersons,hehe
It would be a good signing, use him next year to eat some innings and won’t cost any draft picks or minor leaguers… Next year there will be more good free agents pitchers than this year and we can sign a better one. Now they have to focus on signing yoenis cespedes…
The main reason to sell Ricky is he’s due to make 9mill, way too much for arguably the 4th starter.. Add Saunders, sell Ricky, and go buy Saunders-like to be the 5. Again, anything is better than Volstad.
I’m guessing the Marlins either go with Saunders or trade for Wandy Rodriguez, not because they’re the best options but because they would cost the least. Saunders is a free agent and if the Marlins pick up most of Wandy’s contract they could have him for almost nothing as the Astros clearly want to clear some payroll. After seeing what had to be given up for Latos and Gio, the Marlins should steer clear of big names like Garza and Shields.