Headlines

  • Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal
  • Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement
  • Braves Extend Brian Snitker
  • Yankees Sign Justin Wilson
  • Braves Sign Jake Lamb
  • Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Marlins Interested In Joe Saunders

By Mark Polishuk | December 22, 2011 at 5:27pm CDT

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.

Share 1 Retweet 25 Send via email0

Joe Saunders Miami Marlins

Quick Hits: Astros, Fielder, Red Sox, Bonser
Main
AL East Links: Red Sox, Cespedes, Danks, Beltran
41 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. Pawapuro

    9 years ago

    Finally. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a headline that says “Marlins Interested In…”

    Like
    Reply
  2. Lastings

    9 years ago

    Now the Marlins are coming back down to reality after signing those “marquee” names. Well, after all they did sign most of them…

    Like
    Reply
  3. elscorcho the marlin

    9 years ago

    He gave the marlins fits last year. I can see taking him. Definite upgrade over Volstad.

    Like
    Reply
    • Lastings

      9 years ago

      Who isn’t an upgrade over Volstad? Doug Davis…?

      Like
      Reply
    • OptimisticMarlinsFan

      9 years ago

      In reality, I’m an upgrade over Volstad so Saunders would be like bringing in Steve Carlton to replace Volstad.

      Like
      Reply
  4. OptimisticMarlinsFan

    9 years ago

    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!

    Like
    Reply
  5. Sideline Scholars

    9 years ago

    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…

    Like
    Reply
  6. rsanchez1

    9 years ago

    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.

    Like
    Reply
    • OptimisticMarlinsFan

      9 years ago

      Bingo!

      Like
      Reply
  7. Unplucked Sports

    9 years ago

    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. 

    Like
    Reply
  8. TDKnies

    9 years ago

    ugh.  A no velocity, backend lefty starter.  The Braves’ kryptonite.

    Like
    Reply
    • OptimisticMarlinsFan

      9 years ago

      The Phillies as well.

      Like
      Reply
    • rsanchez1

      9 years ago

      And the Marlins as well. Heck, I’m sure the entire division was glad Jamie Moyer had to take a year off.

      Like
      Reply
  9. Cole Stefan

    9 years ago

    no

    Like
    Reply
  10. Ben

    9 years ago

    Lol. Have to laugh every time I see the name Joe Saunders. Two brownie points if you can guess why!

    Like
    Reply
  11. hisownfool

    9 years ago

    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. 

    Like
    Reply
    • OptimisticMarlinsFan

      9 years ago

      So the addition of Gio to be put alongside Strasburg and Zimmerman didn’t already have you feeling good about the Nats 2012 rotation? 

      Like
      Reply
      • hisownfool

        9 years ago

        Good point. I should say “better.”

        Like
        Reply
  12. EightMileCats

    9 years ago

    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…

    Like
    Reply
    • rsanchez1

      9 years ago

      Braves won’t be solid as long as they have Fredi Gonzalez managing.

      Like
      Reply
    • bigpat

      9 years ago

       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.

      Like
      Reply
      • rsanchez1

        9 years ago

        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.

        Like
        Reply
  13. Jay

    9 years ago

    The Marlins went from being on welfare to being a millionaire.They remind me of the Jeffersons,hehe

    Like
    Reply
  14. Janellium83

    9 years ago

    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…

    Like
    Reply
  15. Ed Gesio

    9 years ago

    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. 

    Like
    Reply
  16. miamiroc

    9 years ago

    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.

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Yankees Sign Justin Wilson

    Braves Sign Jake Lamb

    Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland

    Yankees Re-Sign Brett Gardner

    Giants To Sign Jake McGee

    Mariners CEO Kevin Mather Resigns

    Athletics Sign Trevor Rosenthal

    Recent

    Quick Hits: Pujols, Blue Jays, Kennedy, Santana

    Royals, Hunter Dozier In “Serious” Extension Negotiations

    Minor MLB Transactions: 2/27/21

    MLBTR Chat Transcript

    Astros Claim Robel Garcia

    Red Sox Acquire Zach Bryant From Cubs

    Quick Hits: Yankees, Cardinals, Diamondbacks

    MLBTR Poll: Forecasting The Yankees Rotation

    COVID Notes: Carlos Carrasco, Kevin Plawecki

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors
    • Jake Odorizzi Rumors
    • Taijuan Walker Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version