The Cincinnati Reds and southpaw pitcher Sean Marshall have agreed to a three-year, $16.5 million extension that runs through 2015, the club announced today. According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Marshall can earn an additional $2 million in performance bonuses each year.
The move didn't catch anyone by surprise, as it was believed that the two sides were nearing a deal earlier in the day. But, it does seem a little odd they'd extend a reliever for three years before even throwing a pitch for the club. Remember, the Reds traded pitcher Travis Wood and a pair of minor league players to the Cubs in exchange for Marshall in December.
Marshall, 29, has spent time starting and relieving but most of his success has come from the latter. In 219 innings pitching in relief, Marshall is posting a 2.67 ERA with a 3.12 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Even then, I wouldn't be surprised if the Reds see if they can use Marshall as a starter rather than a reliever.