Ricky Nolasco Officially Signs Long-Term Deal to Stay with Florida Marlins

The Florida Marlins have officially announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Ricky Nolasco to a three-year, $26.5 million contract extension. 

The 28-year-old went 14-9 with a 4.51 ERA and missed the final month after undergoing arthroscopic right knee surgery when he tore his meniscus. 

In the deal, Nolasco is expected to earn $6 million in 2011, $9 million in 2012 and $11.5 million in 2013, his would-be first year of free agency.

He made $3.8 million last season and was due to get a pay raise in the neighborhood of $6 million had the two gone to arbitration. 

According to the Associated Press, Nolasco said in a conference call with reporters that he has been running and exercising without any setbacks: "I should be 100 percent by spring training."

Nolasco has gone 54-39 with a 4.45 ERA in five years with the Marlins, and his strikeout-walk ratio of 638-169 over that time is among the best in baseball.

"I couldn't ask for anything else from these guys," Nolasco said. "It helps to just go out there and not worry about the arbitration process."

The signing of Ricky Nolasco solidifies a starting rotation that is expected to be among the National League's elite.

Nolasco is expected to be slotted second behind ace Josh Johnson (11-6 with a 2.30 ERA) and ahead of newly signed pitcher Javier Vazquez (15-10 with a 2.38 ERA when he last pitched in the National League in 2009) and pitchers Anibal Sanchez (13-12 with a 3.55 ERA) and Chris Volstad (12-9 with a 4.58 ERA; 8-1 in the second half).