Marlins Close to Signing John Buck

[Elite]

2:03pm: The Marlins are close to signing Buck to a three-year deal, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. We had speculated on the three-year possibility just a few hours ago. Rosenthal's colleague Jon Paul Morosi tweets that Buck's deal is worth more than $15MM.

10:26am: The Marlins are working hard to sign free agent catcher John Buck, an official from another team told Ed Price of AOL FanHouse (Twitter link). Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the Marlins are definitely interested in Buck, but not close to a deal. Yesterday, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos described Buck's market as "very, very strong" and implied his agents at ACES seek a multiyear deal. Buck, 30, hit .281/.314/.489 with 20 home runs in 437 plate appearances for Toronto this year. He signed for $2MM after being non-tendered by the Royals.

Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reported yesterday that the Marlins and A.J. Pierzynski share mutual interest, but he might be too pricey for the Fish.

MLBTR

I don't really think he's a good fit with the Marlins but I suppose it's a fairly good thing. Buck is decent behind the dish and he's got a pretty nice arm, as well as some pop.

 

[Elite]

3:53pm: Buck's three-year deal with the Marlins will be worth $18MM, tweets Rosenthal. This will be Florida's biggest free agent signing since Carlos Delgado in 2005.

MLBTR

Deal is complete.

 

[snipezo]

Not a bad deal for Marlins. He probably won't hit 280 anymore but he'll hit homers. That's a lot of money for a guy who's had one good year though.