Fish Frenzy- Marlins Bullpen Check

The Florida Marlins have signed veteran reliever Mike MacDougal to attempt to thicken their weak Bullpen. The 32 year old gun-slinger posted a 4.31 ERA, converting on 20 of 21 save attempts as the Nationals closer last year. Now MacDougal is going to be asked to lighten the load on current Marlins closer Leo Nunez and on Dan Meyer who spent time closing last year as well. The Marlins dished Matt Lindstrom off to the Houston Astros this off-season leaving a big void in the pen that MacDougal hopefully can fill.

The Marlins also signed Relievers Jose Veras, Derrick Turnbow and Seth McClung to minor league deals.

In Terms of long relief, the Marlins have Burke Badenhop who was very solid last year, Taylor Tankersley who's last season was ended early on with an injury, and Cristhian Martinez, a young hurler who was added to the roster mid last year. Dan Meyer and Chris Leroux lead the rest of the pen along with current closer Leo Nunez. Other notable names are Tim Wood who has been a reliable Middle Reliever and Renyel Pinto who spent last year in the Majors, killing games with his absolute garbage pitching. The kid is better suited throwing in AA.

MacDougal signed a deal worth $650,000 assuming the Marlins don't cut him from their MLB roster. If he is not given the chance to pitch in the Majors, he can opt out and be released.

Maybe this is just another addition to fill up salary which the league demanded the Marlins increase, or maybe MacDougal will earn the closer role and pitch us into the playoffs with his ability to seal games.

Go Marlins!