Nationals sign Jason Marquis to two-year deal

Posted on December 21, 2009

Jason Marquis of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California on Saturday, May 2, 2009. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

 

Free agent pitcher Jason Marquis has agreed to a two-year contract with the Washington Nationals for $15 million. Marquis got off to a terrific start for the Colorado Rockies last season. He was one of the best pitchers in baseball during the first half and finished with a 15-13 record with a 4.04 ERA and 115 strikeouts after a disappointing second half.

Jason Marquis of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during Game 4 of the 2004 World Series against the Boston Red Sox at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO on October 27, 2004. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Jason Marquis of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during Game 4 of the 2004 World Series against the Boston Red Sox at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO on October 27, 2004. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Marquis fell so far off the Rockies radar map by the end of the season was not even considered for their post season starting rotation. I saw Marquis look dominant during a game against the Giants in early May when he mowed them down and threw a complete game 5-hitter at AT&T Park.

Jason Marquis of the  Chicago Cubs pitches against the San Francisco Giants during a spring training game at Ho Ho Kam Park in Mesa, AZ on March 1, 2007. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Jason Marquis of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the San Francisco Giants during a spring training game at Ho Ho Kam Park in Mesa, AZ on March 1, 2007. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The 31-year-old Marquis enters the 2010 season with a career record of 94-83. I keep going back to his second half collapse in 2009 and I wonder if he will be able to help the Nationals. I think the Nationals overpaid here as Marquis will not be able to do much to help out the Nationals, besides eating a lot of innings. However, I will be rooting for Marquis to do well because he seems like a nice guy from Staten Island. I will never forget watching the 2009 Little League World Series on TV when they introduced the kids from the Staten Island team. Almost every one of them named Jason Marquis as their favorite player. I thought that was pretty cool.

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