Jose Valverde is on the verge of signing a 1-year deal with the Miami Marlins. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Valverde posted an ERA of 3.78 and an FIP of 3.62. Valverde’s FIP was at a staggering 5.01 though. For his career, Valverde has an ERA/FIP of 3.11/3.53.

No word on what role the Marlins would bring Valverde into, but Steve Cishek is the incumbent closer, and is expected to maintain that role in 2013.

Valverde could be a interesting trade chip for the Marlins if he is able to pitch well in the first half of 2013, especially with his experience as a closer.

It should be noted that Valverde is a Scott Boras client. Boras earlier in the off season said he tells his clients to avoid signing long-term deals with the Marlins, due to their lack of credibility in holding onto to those contracts. Boras also represents free agent center fielder, Micheal Bourn, whom I suggest the Marlins should sign-and-trade.

We will have more details as they come out on the Jose Valverde signing.

11:30 PM Update: Turns out, the rumors of the Valverde signing are FALSE, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald:

Sources: reports of #marlins nearing deal with Jose Valverde are “utterly false.”

— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) February 4, 2013

 

jose valverde is talking to a few teams, including the #marlins. no deal seems imminent.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) February 4, 2013

This franchise can do better, spending wise, than they did a year ago and make strides towards competing for a championship within a few years. What they need to focus on is filling out a roster, developing talent and competing. With guys like Stanton and other toolsy athletic players in the farm system, this franchise is not as far away as many on the outside believe. Christian Yelich has the ability to develop into a star. Zack Cox, acquired in a trade from the Cardinals last year, was considered to be the best college hitter of his draft class two years ago. Both of these guys should get to Miami this year. Rob Brantly could compete for the starting catching job next spring and many say that he can hit major league pitching. Adam Conley could compete for a rotation spot, especially if they deal JJ, and he has promise.

So, while the Marlins may not be as loaded as other teams in the NL East, they have a lot of talent and a lot of potential. This is a team that could grow together rather quickly. I wouldn’t expect them to compete for a playoff spot next year but if they are developed right, they can get there rather quickly. With the talent they have, and a few savvy moves, the Marlins could be right back into contention by 2014. They just need to stick with the plan and be patient.

• Won a total of 68 games as a Marlin, finishing with a career 3.79 ERA for the fish.
• 2 Time All-Star with the Marlins. (2003,2005)
• 2003 Rookie of the Year
• Finished 2nd in the Cy Young Award voting, and 11th in the MVP voting. (2005)
• 2003 World Series Champion
• League Leader in “Wins” with 22, “Complete Games” with 7, and “Shutouts” with 5. (2005)
• 8 career home runs and 35 career RBI’s with the Marlins.

April 5, 2008; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers fans get ready for Dontrelle Willis first game pitching as a Tiger. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-US PRESSWIRE.

Quite impressive numbers. No doubt, Dontrelle Willis will go into history as being one of the organizations top pitchers. However, starting in 2007, Dontrelle hit a hard wall. Struggling  with the command, velocity, and placement, Willis was shelled all 2007 season. To make matters worse, he continued to decline after the blockbuster trade that sent he and Miguel Cabrera to the Detroit Tigers. It’s safe to say ever since the trade, Dontrelle has not been himself. As we all know, “The D-Train” was famous for his trademark leg-kick that distinguished him  from the rest of the league. At first, many hitters actually admitted the leg-kick threw them off and made it difficult to hit the  lefty. As time went by and the league got comfortable, the leg-kick seemed to do more harm than damage. Lets take a look at Dontrelle’s career from 2007 to today:

• Since 2007, owns a 14-30 record on the mound with a 6.53 ERA.
• From 2008 to present day, has more BB’s (156) than strikeouts (139)
• Led the league in Earned Runs allowed (2007)
• Has bounced around with 4 teams, never staying a complete year in the majors. Detroit Tigers (2008-2010) Arizona Diamondbacks (2010) Cincinnati Reds(2011) Philadelphia Phillies (2012)
• Has even struggled in the minors since leaving Florida

July 10, 2011; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Dontrelle Willis (50) throws a pitch during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. The Brewers defeated the Reds 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Clearly, Dontrelle has lost it. While I still have not given up completely on his career, it is safe to say he will never return to the form that made him such a feared force on the mound. However, there COULD still be light at the end of the tunnel. Last year for the Reds, though his record and ERA do not show it, Willis did not look terrible. Starting 13 games, Willis fanned 57 hitters while only walking 37. I know these are not GREAT numbers, and I would be dumb to call them GOOD numbers, but you can tell he is trying to improve. Also, getting a chance to watch 3 of his starts, Willis would pitch with great command for about 4 innings before hitting a rough patch. Not to mention he had ZERO run support from the Reds. This was a major reason why the Phillies chose to sign him to a bullpen role before Spring Training got underway.

As said earlier, Willis failed to start off hot with the Phillies and has been released from Spring Training. Now an interesting question pop’s up…..do the fish take a chance and bring home an old hero? Obviously it would be a minor league contract with no guarantees of a major league deal. It has been reported that the New York Yankees had interest in Willis before the Philadelphia signing and may still be interested in the lefty. With our bullpen being close to finalized, Willis would have to work his way to the league by impressing in the minors. Do the Marlins take a chance? Should they take a chance?

Being a realist, I realize that Dontrelle Willis will probably be zero help to this team moving forward even if we do ink him. Still, being my favorite player, and hero for that matter, I refuse to to be upset if the Marlins take a chance. It would make my day to see Dontrelle succeed again. He deserves it.

Jan 30, 2010; Orlando, FL, USA; Professional baseball player Dontrelle Willis watches the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic during the first half at Amway Arena. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

September 26, 2011; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero (27) waves to the crowd after hitting a single in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The base hit made him the all-time hits leader amongst Dominican players. The Orioles defeated the Red Sox 6 - 3. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE

“The Marlins have shown interest in me, but to be on the bench or to pinch hit for the pitcher. Ozzie Guillen didn’t like this, since he said I’m not that class of player,” Guerrero told Castro. Guerrero shares this hesitancy, adding, “I don’t consider myself a bench player, in spite of my age.”

However, according to Nick Collias of MLB Trade Rumors, neither Guerrero nor manager Ozzie Guillen is entirely comfortable with what a move back to the National League would signify for the 37-year-old’s career.

Guerrero in my opinion would be someone the Marlins should give an invite to Spring Training. If he can still hit, Guerrero would be the perfect right handed hitter off of the bench.

What do you guys think?

UPDATE: https://twitter.com/#!/JoeFrisaro/status/175694382626906112

According to Joe Frisaro, Marlins not seriously considering Guerrero.