Post by Fish Troll on May 13, 2007 18:14:31 GMT -5
Fish acquire Kim, send Julio to Rox
Veteran South Korean righty can either start or relieve
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
WASHINGTON -- Jorge Julio's tenuous tenure with the Marlins ended on Sunday when the 28-year-old right-handed reliever was traded to the Rockies for right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim.
The Marlins announced the deal shortly after they were swept at Washington on Sunday, falling, 6-4, in the series finale.
Initially obtained on March 26 from Arizona for starter Yusmeiro Petit, Julio was brought in to be Florida's closer. He entered with 99 career saves, and exited on Sunday with the same number.
Never finding his rhythm as a Marlin, Julio appeared in 10 games and was 0-2 with a 12.54 ERA. A native of the Dominican Republic, Julio had two save chances and was unable to convert either one.
Shortly after being removed from the closer role, Julio was on the disabled list from April 18 to May 4 with a strained right calf muscle.
Julio's final appearance as a Marlin came on Saturday night in a game delayed twice by rain. Inheriting the bases loaded and the game tied in the ninth inning, he surrendered a grand slam to Ryan Zimmerman, enabling the Nationals to celebrate a 7-3 win in a game that ended at 1:42 a.m. ET.
"I wish we would have gotten him to help us," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
After Sunday's setback, Julio said goodbye to his now former Marlins teammates.
"I'm fine. I stayed in focus all the time," said Julio, who is working on regaining command of his fastball. "I know this game. I know baseball here. It's work, and this is my job. Wherever I go, I want to do my job."
Marlins assistant general manager Michael Hill said Kim, 28, provides versatility because he can start or relieve. Kim also has been a closer, but the Marlins don't envision him in that role for now.
"B.K. Kim has always been a versatile pitcher," Hill said. "We've always liked him. We think he will help our staff.
"He started and relieved. After we discuss things with Fredi and Kranny [pitching coach Rick Kranitz], we'll see how he fits. He can do both."
When the Marlins obtained Julio, they picked up $2.5 million of the right-hander's $3.6 million deal, with Arizona taking on $1.1 million. Kim is making $2.5 million, so his money pretty much matches what Julio is making.
The Rockies had interest in Julio from when the right-hander was with the Orioles a few years ago. And the Marlins have had their eye on Kim for a while, including Spring Training.
"[Julio] had been an established closer, 99 career saves," Hill said. "We brought him in to do that job, unfortunately it didn't work out. He had the injury, went on the disabled list."
As much as the Marlins are seeking a veteran with closing experience, a more pressing need right now is a durable starter.
Ricky Nolasco, who threw four innings in Saturday's twice rain-delayed game, didn't look right in his outing. His velocity was down.
While Nolasco says he is working on his mechanics, the team is cautious about the 24-year-old being ready for his next scheduled start, which would be Thursday at Pittsburgh.
Kim has been on the disabled list since April 16 with a right thumb contusion. The right-hander threw six innings in a rehab assignment for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Saturday, and he would be available to start for the Marlins on Thursday if Nolasco isn't ready.
Nolasco spent time earlier this season on the disabled list with a sore elbow.
Kim is expected to join the Marlins on Tuesday in Pittsburgh.
Like Julio, Kim will be a free agent after the season.
Kim has playoff experience as a closer from his days with Arizona, where he pitched in the 2001 World Series against the Yankees.
Kim has made five rehab starts for Colorado Springs, where he is 1-1 with a 2.96 ERA. He has struck out 31 while walking 11 in 24 1/3 innings.
Before going on the DL with the Rockies, Kim was 1-2 in three games with one start. He gave up seven runs in six innings.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Veteran South Korean righty can either start or relieve
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
WASHINGTON -- Jorge Julio's tenuous tenure with the Marlins ended on Sunday when the 28-year-old right-handed reliever was traded to the Rockies for right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim.
The Marlins announced the deal shortly after they were swept at Washington on Sunday, falling, 6-4, in the series finale.
Initially obtained on March 26 from Arizona for starter Yusmeiro Petit, Julio was brought in to be Florida's closer. He entered with 99 career saves, and exited on Sunday with the same number.
Never finding his rhythm as a Marlin, Julio appeared in 10 games and was 0-2 with a 12.54 ERA. A native of the Dominican Republic, Julio had two save chances and was unable to convert either one.
Shortly after being removed from the closer role, Julio was on the disabled list from April 18 to May 4 with a strained right calf muscle.
Julio's final appearance as a Marlin came on Saturday night in a game delayed twice by rain. Inheriting the bases loaded and the game tied in the ninth inning, he surrendered a grand slam to Ryan Zimmerman, enabling the Nationals to celebrate a 7-3 win in a game that ended at 1:42 a.m. ET.
"I wish we would have gotten him to help us," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
After Sunday's setback, Julio said goodbye to his now former Marlins teammates.
"I'm fine. I stayed in focus all the time," said Julio, who is working on regaining command of his fastball. "I know this game. I know baseball here. It's work, and this is my job. Wherever I go, I want to do my job."
Marlins assistant general manager Michael Hill said Kim, 28, provides versatility because he can start or relieve. Kim also has been a closer, but the Marlins don't envision him in that role for now.
"B.K. Kim has always been a versatile pitcher," Hill said. "We've always liked him. We think he will help our staff.
"He started and relieved. After we discuss things with Fredi and Kranny [pitching coach Rick Kranitz], we'll see how he fits. He can do both."
When the Marlins obtained Julio, they picked up $2.5 million of the right-hander's $3.6 million deal, with Arizona taking on $1.1 million. Kim is making $2.5 million, so his money pretty much matches what Julio is making.
The Rockies had interest in Julio from when the right-hander was with the Orioles a few years ago. And the Marlins have had their eye on Kim for a while, including Spring Training.
"[Julio] had been an established closer, 99 career saves," Hill said. "We brought him in to do that job, unfortunately it didn't work out. He had the injury, went on the disabled list."
As much as the Marlins are seeking a veteran with closing experience, a more pressing need right now is a durable starter.
Ricky Nolasco, who threw four innings in Saturday's twice rain-delayed game, didn't look right in his outing. His velocity was down.
While Nolasco says he is working on his mechanics, the team is cautious about the 24-year-old being ready for his next scheduled start, which would be Thursday at Pittsburgh.
Kim has been on the disabled list since April 16 with a right thumb contusion. The right-hander threw six innings in a rehab assignment for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Saturday, and he would be available to start for the Marlins on Thursday if Nolasco isn't ready.
Nolasco spent time earlier this season on the disabled list with a sore elbow.
Kim is expected to join the Marlins on Tuesday in Pittsburgh.
Like Julio, Kim will be a free agent after the season.
Kim has playoff experience as a closer from his days with Arizona, where he pitched in the 2001 World Series against the Yankees.
Kim has made five rehab starts for Colorado Springs, where he is 1-1 with a 2.96 ERA. He has struck out 31 while walking 11 in 24 1/3 innings.
Before going on the DL with the Rockies, Kim was 1-2 in three games with one start. He gave up seven runs in six innings.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070513&content_id=1962902&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Something this good deserve 2 threads!
