Nolasco market: Dodgers, O's, Giants, Rangers, Rockies, Pads, etc.
Marlins pitcher Ricky Nolasco will be a solid pickup for someone, and a deal could happen soon.
By
Jon Heyman
•
1 min read
The Dodgers, Orioles, Giants, Rangers and Rockies are said by a person familiar with the talks to be among the teams in the derby for Ricky Nolasco, the Marlins' all-time leader in wins, games started, innings and strikeouts who isn't too long for the only team he has known.
The Dodgers have been considered a favorite since they might be willing to absorb the $5.75 million remaining on Nolasco's $11.5-million 2013 salary, but the source suggested late Monday afternoon that there's no deal currently on the table from anyone who is tempting enough to take. But that could change "in a half an hour," the person warned.
The Rockies are said to have offered two pretty decent prospects but are resistant to paying the salary.
The Diamondbacks and Padres are thought to other possible player for the Inland Empire, California product (Rialto High).
Some suggest the Marlins might prefer to deal the free-agent-to-be Nolasco, 30, before his start Wednesday against the Braves, but the source said they are still holding out for their price on the solid innings eater. "He's not a giveaway,'' a Marlins person insisted, suggesting they have at least a suitor who will take the contract but not provide much in the way of a prospect in return.
In what should be a seller's market, the Marlins are hoping to receive a decent prospect back, and they might be able to do that. Nolasco has pitched exceptionally well against the Giants, so it's no surprise that much of the interest is coming from the NL West, including the Giants.
Nolasco is 4-8 with an ERA of 3.93, which is exactly the league average. No doubt he has been undermined by a very weak Marlins offense that has provided a league low 33 runs of support for him over 17 games. Nolasco has 25 walks and 83 strikeouts for a nice strikeout-to-walk ratio of better than 3-to-1.
"He's not a No. 1 or a No. 2. He's a No. 3 or No. 4, but what he is going to give you is a lot of innings," one scout said. "With a little run support, he can be a solid guy.''
