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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Shoring up the bullpen remains the top priority in camp, and the Marlins definitely have an eye on at least one veteran as a possible trade alternative.
Sources say the Marlins have an interest in Arizona's Jorge Julio.
The 28-year-old right-hander fits the profile of the team's desire to have someone with big-league experience. Julio had 16 saves in 20 chances for the Diamondbacks a year ago. For his career, he has 99 saves in 124 chances.
While the Marlins are not bashful about going with young pitchers, they do feel it is important to have some veteran relievers.
Over the past few years, the Marlins have had success reenergizing the careers of veteran relievers like Armando Benitez (2004), Todd Jones ('05) and Joe Borowski ('06).
Currently on the roster, the Marlins are impressed with hard throwers Matt Lindstrom and Henry Owens. Owens threw a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Orioles.
Julio struck out 88 and walked 35 in 66 innings for Arizona a year ago, and he has 345 career strikeouts in 357 2/3 innings.
More so than center field, solidifying the bullpen is the highest club priority.
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The Official Site of the Florida Marlins: Florida Marlins' News
I think they will need more than Julio to solidify that bullpen. I am afraid they might have a 2005/06 season like the Atlanta Braves bullpend where they struggle to finish games and close them out, losing a lot of games for their starters.
Team looking to solidify bullpen
Team looking to solidify bullpen
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