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Report: Marlins, Volquez agree to 2-year, $22M deal

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The Miami Marlins upgraded their starting rotation on Tuesday, agreeing with right-hander Edinson Volquez on a two-year, $22-million deal, reports Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, citing sources. The deal is reportedly contingent on Volquez passing a physical.

Adding another starting pitcher has been a major goal for the Marlins this winter. The rotation was a very weak link for the team in 2016; as a unit, Marlins' starters posted a 4.32 ERA and a WHIP above 1.30, while their average of 3.42 walks per nine innings was the fourth-highest rate in MLB.

Volquez now returns to the National League - where he spent the majority of his career from 2008-14 - after a disappointing 2016 with the Kansas City Royals.

The 33-year-old played a big role in Kansas City's 2015 World Series title, but couldn't repeat that stellar campaign this past season, posting a 5.37 ERA and 1.54 WHIP, while averaging 6.6 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.6 walks per nine. Those numbers could receive a boost with his return to the Senior Circuit, and should be aided by pitcher-friendly Marlins Park.

One thing Volquez did provide Kansas City with in 2016 was durability, making all 34 of his starts, the fifth straight season in which he's started at least 32 contests. The Marlins only boasted one 30-game starter - right-hander Tom Koehler - in 2016.

Pitcher GS ERA WHIP K/BB FIP GB Rate
Wei-Yin Chen 22 4.96 1.281 100/24 4.50 40.5%
Edinson Volquez 34 5.37 1.548 139/76 4.57 51.2%
Adam Conley 25 3.85 1.403 124/62 4.20 38.2%
Tom Koehler 33 4.33 1.466 147/83 4.60 42.2%
David Phelps 5 (64 GP) 2.28 1.142 114/38 2.80 46.2%

(Statistics from 2016)

Across 12 big-league seasons with the Royals, Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Pittsburgh Pirates, Volquez owns a 4.44 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 1,229 strikeouts to 668 walks in 1,432 1/3 innings pitched.

Volquez represented the Reds in the 2008 All-Star Game, his lone appearance in the midsummer classic.

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