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Miami Marlins sign free agents INF Erik Gonzalez, RHP Aneurys Zabala

By Matt Melton

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Erik Gonzalez #2 of the Pittsburgh Pirates warms up before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Erik Gonzalez #2 of the Pittsburgh Pirates warms up before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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The Miami Marlins have made two more offseason moves as the club has signed infielder Erik Gonzalez and right-hander Aneurys Zabala to minor league deals.

Miami Marlins sign free agents INF Erik Gonzalez, RHP Aneurys Zabala

Arguably the most-notable signing of the two is Gonzalez, a 30-year-old infielder who spent the 2021 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Appearing in a total of 71 games with the Pirates, Gonzalez slashed a combined .232/.258/.300 with two home runs, 21 RBI’s, and two stolen bases. In what was the largest single-season sample-size of his six-year career, Gonzalez posted career-low’s in categories such as OPS+ and WAR, but also a career-low 17.5 K%.

A career .245/.276/.345 hitter, Gonzalez has spent time with two different organizations as the veteran was with Cleveland from 2009-2018 (reached big leagues in 2016) before joining the Pirates from 2019-2021.

Gonzalez has seen time almost everywhere defensively, but has an extensive amount of experience at shortstop, third base, and second base in particular, with a majority of his time with Pittsburgh in 2021 coming at third base.

Zabala on the other hand spent the 2021 season in the Philadelphia Phillies organization where he made a combined 33 appearances between High-A Jersey Shore and Double-A Reading. Across those 33 appearances, the right-hander pitched a total of 42.2 innings that included a 3-5 record with a 6.75 ERA and three saves, as well as 17 walks and 63 strikeouts.

A 24-year-old right-hander, Zabala has spent time in the Mariners, Dodgers, and Reds’ organizations dating back to 2014 where he holds a career 5.32 ERA across 171 career minor league appearances. While the right-hander has struggled at times throughout his career with command, Zabala showed improvement in that area in 2021, as well as a career-high 13.3 K/9.

Next. Marlins sign free agent Ray-Patrick Didder. dark

Both signed to minor league deals, Gonzalez and Zabala were both assigned to Triple-A Jacksonville where they will likely begin the 2022 season.

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