Reds, Marshall agree to 3-year extension
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Sean Marshall won’t be a one-year wonder or a one-and done pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.
Marshall and the Reds agreed to a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension, which places the 29-year-old left-handed relief pitcher under club control through 2015.
When the Reds traded pitcher Travis Wood and others to the Chicago Cubs for Marshall, he arrived on the last year of his contract. But Reds general manager Walt Jocketty planned all along to work out an extension and was confident it could be done quickly and efficiently.
“When we made the trade, we made it with the intention of extending him, and we were confident we could do that,” Jocketty said. “We wanted to approach it sooner than later. And our goal was to get it done before the exhibition games started (Saturday), and we did get it done before the games.
“He is a quality person and will add a lot to our franchise and organization over the next four years. You look at the quality of his work, one of the top setup guys in the game, so we’ll have flexibility in the future if we want to use him as a closer. That will be determined as we go down the road.”
The Reds lost closer Francisco Cordero to free agency and signed closer Ryan Madson to a one-year deal, which is what Madson wanted.
If Madson leaves after this year, does Marshall become the closer?
“We would look for other closers, but at least we’d know we have Marshall and could use him in that capacity,” Jocketty said.
Used mostly as a setup guy by the Cubs, he was most successful the past two years. He was 7-5 with a 2.65 ERA in 80 appearances in 2010 and 6-6 with a 2.26 ERA in 78 appearances last year.
Carlos Marmol was the Cubs’ closer. But when he wasn’t available, the Cubs used Marshall to finish games. Marshall recorded five saves last year.
There is also a $2 million performance clause based on games started and games finished, plus a partial no-trade clause.
“There are a few cities we picked where we thought we wouldn’t want to live, and there are a couple of teams on the list,” said the 6-foot-7 Marshall. “But I’ll just try to pitch well and not have to worry about that.
“I’m looking forward to play with this great group of guys, a group of tremendously talented players who have a chance to make the postseason and even go farther.
“This contract gives me peace of mind. It will take some pressure off me and help me concentrate to perform well. My deal is as good as I might have got as a free agent after this season, I think. They think very highly of me, and that’s important, too.”
As for the incentive for finishing games, closing games, Marshall said he hopes closing is in his future.
“As a reliever, the premier job is to be the closing pitcher,” he said. “So if the opportunity arises and I’m handed the ball in the ninth inning or 10th inning, I’m more than capable of doing it. I have confidence in whatever inning I’m pitching. I just do what I do best. Execute pitches.
“I’m super-excited. Everybody has been so welcoming. The Reds have taken extremely good care of me, and I’m excited to spend the next four years in a Reds uniform and help guide them to a championship.