MIAMI -- Reliever Brad Ziegler and the Marlins have reached an agreement on a two-year deal valued at $16 million plus incentives, according to a source.The club has not confirmed the deal.
Ziegler, 37, was among the top remaining relievers left on the open market. He posted a 2.25 ERA through 69 relief appearances (68 innings) between Arizona and Boston in 2016. 
Ziegler becomes the third free-agent addition for the Marlins in recent days. Earlier on Friday, Miami announced the signing of right-hander Junichi Tazawa to a two-year, $12 million contract. And on Monday, Dustin McGowan returned to the club on a one-year, $1.75 million contract.The Marlins made bolstering the bullpen their top offseason priority, and they have now provided plenty of experienced depth.Ziegler, who has 85 career saves, could either win the closer job or fill in for A.J. Ramos if he is not available.Ramos, an All-Star in 2016, saved 40 games.The way the back end is shaping up, if Ramos closes, Ziegler, Tazawa, Kyle Barraclough and David Phelps can handle setup roles.The Marlins paced the Majors in save opportunities last year with 84. That was 10 more than the next highest club, the Mariners.Miami saved 55 of those games, and having 29 missed save chances was a high number.Without a dominant rotation, the Marlins anticipate using their bullpen heavily. Each of the six relievers, who are considered locks to make the Opening Day roster, had their share of work in '16.Barraclough appeared in 75 games, while Ziegler was in 69, Ramos (67), Phelps (64), McGowan (55) and Tazawa (53).
Joe Frisaro/ MLB.com
Ziegler becomes the third free-agent addition for the Marlins in recent days. Earlier on Friday, Miami announced the signing of right-hander Junichi Tazawa to a two-year, $12 million contract. And on Monday, Dustin McGowan returned to the club on a one-year, $1.75 million contract.The Marlins made bolstering the bullpen their top offseason priority, and they have now provided plenty of experienced depth.Ziegler, who has 85 career saves, could either win the closer job or fill in for A.J. Ramos if he is not available.Ramos, an All-Star in 2016, saved 40 games.The way the back end is shaping up, if Ramos closes, Ziegler, Tazawa, Kyle Barraclough and David Phelps can handle setup roles.The Marlins paced the Majors in save opportunities last year with 84. That was 10 more than the next highest club, the Mariners.Miami saved 55 of those games, and having 29 missed save chances was a high number.Without a dominant rotation, the Marlins anticipate using their bullpen heavily. Each of the six relievers, who are considered locks to make the Opening Day roster, had their share of work in '16.Barraclough appeared in 75 games, while Ziegler was in 69, Ramos (67), Phelps (64), McGowan (55) and Tazawa (53).
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