The Miami Marlins continued their bullpen makeover by agreeing to terms with veteran reliever Brad Ziegler on a two-year contract.
The Miami Marlins found a reinforcement piece for their bullpen for the 2017 season. According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Marlins have signed reliever Brad Ziegler to a two-year, $16 million deal. He can also earn an extra $2 million through incentives as a part of the deal, per SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo.
Source: Brad Ziegler in agreement with #Marlins, two years, $16M plus incentives, pending physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 17, 2016
Ziegler deal worth $16M guaranteed over two years and can max out at $18M if all incentives are reached, source says. @Ken_Rosenthal on it.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 17, 2016
The agreement won’t be a done deal until Ziegler has his physical. He is set to earn $7 million in 2017 and $9 million in 2018 as a part of the deal. The contract is worth $18 million in total earnings. The $18 million exceeds his total earnings in his career up through the 2016 season.
Ziegler, 37, had a terrific season with both the Red Sox and Diamondbacks last year. The veteran right-handed reliever boasted a 2.82 ERA with the Diamondbacks over 38.1 innings pitched. After being traded to the Red Sox, Ziegler was even better. He posted a 1.51 ERA in 29.2 innings pitched in Boston. Ziegler earned this payday, after being one of the most consistent relievers in baseball last season.
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The Marlins signed Junichi Tazawa earlier this week to a two-year, $12 million deal. However, the Marlins lost Carter Capps and Mike Dunn, two key pieces to their bullpen from last year. Dunn signed a three-year deal to join the Rockies this week and Capps was traded after he sustained an injury. The Marlins were also deep into talks with closer Kenley Jansen, who decided to stay with the Dodgers on a five-year, $80 million deal. Ziegler and Tazawa were two great adds for the team that will help in the late innings next year, as the Marlins try to make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2003.
Ziegler is known as a ground ball pitcher. His K/9 last season with the Diamondbacks was only 6.3 K/9. He is a very valuable piece to have in your bullpen, when you need to turn a double play to get out of an inning. Ziegler was a nice add for the Marlins. Tazawa is the counter opposite of Ziegler, boasting a 9.8 K/9 last season with the Red Sox. Tazawa has proven over his career to be a great strikeout reliever, with an 8.9 K/9 in his career.
The Marlins bullpen was mediocre last season, sporting a 3.63 ERA. That mark puts them at 14th in MLB and eighth in the National League last season. The Marlins hope that the additions of Tazawa and Ziegler will make the late innings a little less stressful next season.
