Miami Marlins sign Devin Meltzer

The Miami Marlins added to the team's pitching depth by signing Devin Smeltzer to a Minor League deal. The Fish now add another former member of the Minnesota Twins, after a blockbuster trade recently done between the two teams. The trade that of course brought new second baseman Luis Arraez into the fold. Ironically enough a player no longer pursued by The Fish, is now potentially going to Minnesota. The Miami Marlins brought in a pretty interesting reliever. Let's take a look at what the Miami Marlins are getting with Smeltzer.

The Miami Marlins signed Devin Smeltzer to a Minor League contract.

Devin Smeltzer is a 27 year old left handed pitcher who played his entire career with the Minnesota Twins. He can be utilized both as a starting pitcher and as a relief pitcher. He debuted in 2019 with a 3.86 ERA/4.58 FIP in 11 games (6 of them were starts) and 49.0 innings. He had 7.0 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9. In the shortened 2020 season, he produced a 6.75 ERA/4.07 FIP in 7 games (1 start) and 16.0 innings. He had 8.4 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9. It was clear at this point that he had good strikeout ability, but the results just weren't there at the moment.

In 2021, Devin Smeltzer returned to a regular season schedule and produced a 0.00 ERA/3.81 FIP in 1 game (no starts) and 4.2 innings. He had 5.8 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 as well. In 2022 he pitched in 15 games (12 starts) and 70.1 innings. He delivered a 3.71 ERA/5.23 FIP with 5.1 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9. This led Minnesota to end Smeltzer's tenure on the team by non-tendering him to avoid paying him a raise in arbitration.

I don't think that there's too much to like about Devin Smeltzer unfortunately, but he is a decent enough pitcher that he can be useful pitching depth. He might also still find that strikeout ability again and perhaps even turn the corner. He has a chance to at least make the Miami Marlins bullpen out of Spring Training. I think that this is a good move for The Fish by Kim Ng.