With Cliff Lee signed and Zack Greinke traded, there isn't much left at the top of the available pitching market. Matt Garza is one possible option. For a while, Ricky Nolasco was another, and it was recently reported that Nolasco and the Marlins had reached a stalemate in long-term contract negotiations. However, that's all changed now, as the two sides have agreed on a three-year deal that will keep Nolasco in south Florida through 2013.
Ricky Nolasco, Marlins Agree On Three-Year Contract Extension
The contract is worth $26.5 million, with an additional $1.5 million - $0.5 million each year - in playing time incentives. It buys out the final two years of Nolasco’s arbitration eligibility, and the first year of his free agency. He earned $3.8 million a year ago.
The 28-year-old righty has quietly put up some of the NL’s better numbers over the past few seasons. While Nolasco’s ERA since 2008 is 4.31, he’s averaged nearly a strikeout an inning while limiting his walks, struggling most with the longball. He’s effective against both righties and lefties, working off a low-90s fastball, a curve, a splitter, and an excellent slider. He missed the end of last season with a knee injury that required surgery, but assuming he’s back and healthy, he and Josh Johnson should lead a potentially strong Marlins rotation in 2011.
Read more over at Fish Stripes.
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