Miami Marlins news: New problem with a starting pitcher

Bad news are here for Miami Marlins starting pitcher Johnny Cueto. I'm wondering why Kim Ng didn't just give his spot to Braxton Garrett and didn't sign him at all. I've written about Johnny Cueto before and things don't look promising with him at all. I'm really concerned about how he's actually going to pitch for The Fish this upcoming season and now that there are new concerns, I'm just happy that he's a free agent after the season.

Signing Johnny Cueto looks like a mistake for the Miami Marlins.

The latest news with Cueto, is that he has "soreness". Strangely, it hasn't been revealed where so we don't know how bad this actually is. He was actually supposed to pitch yesterday, but that isn't happening due to this. The big issue is that if it's back or leg soreness then it shouldn't be a big deal. On the other hand, if it's arm soreness then it could be very ominous. It also would help explain why he's been so bad during both Spring Training (27.00 ERA) and the World Baseball Classic.

Johnny Cueto was very good last season (3.5 WAR and 3.35 ERA) but at 36 years old he's at the tail-end of his career. I like the idea of signing him for depth, but I really believe that it's better for the Miami Marlins to go with younger and potentially more effective starting pitchers such as Braxton Garrett. I'm just not sure how much Cueto has left in the tank based on what I've seen from him so far in Spring Training and the WBC. I know that those are small sample sizes, but I feel that there's enough to be concerned about where I'm not confident with him being productive.

I think that the Miami Marlins should give Johnny Cueto a short leash this season. If he isn't producing by mid-May he should be either released or relegated to the bullpen (if he's willing to make the switch). Making the playoffs should be the priority and I don't see his starts helping the team get there.