31-year old righty reliever Brian Sanches is just the latest of diamonds in the rough that the Marlins have shined up for their bullpen. Coming into this season, Sanches had pitched in 42 games (0 starts) in the majors in which he was 3-1 with a 6.13 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. This season for the Marlins Sanches hasn’t just been good…..he’s been dominating. He has pitched in 34 games (0 starts) for the Marlins this season and he is 3-1 with a 1.04 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. In 43 1/3 innings for the Marlins this season Sanches has allowed only 33 hits while whiffing 40 batters showing how good his stuff is. But, this is nitpicking, he has walked 22 batters and that could hurt him at some point. Still, Sanches has been incredible this season and the Marlins hope he finishes the season strongly.

The Marlins have signed 34-year old righty reliever Esteban Yan to a minor league deal. Yan pitched in 6 games (0 starts) in the Mexican League (AAA ball) this season and he was 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA and a 2.65 WHIP. Yan last pitched in the majors during the 2006 season. He has pitched in 472 games (23 starts) in his major league career and he is 33-39 with 51 saves, a 5.14 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. I never write off a pitcher like Yan as the Marlins’ have the magic touch with pitchers like him.

31-year old righty reliever Kasey Olenberger could possibly get a call to the show when rosters expand in September if he keeps pitching like he is right now. In 39 games (1 start) in AA-ball this season, Olenberger is 7-1 with a 1.01 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. In 53 1/3 innings in the minors this season he has only allowed 39 hits while whiffing 50 batters. Olenberger deserves a reward for a fine season and that would be a promotion to the majors at some point.

The Florida Marlins have designated 27-year old righty swinging utility man Andy Gonzalez for assignment. He has played in 7 games for the Marlins this season and he is 1 for 8 (.125 avg, .500 OPS) with 1 run scored. Gonzalez has also played in 76 games in AAA-ball this season and he was 70 for 263 (.266 avg, .738 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 7 homers, 39 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Gonzalez will likely accept a outright assignment to AAA.

The Marlins have acquired 30-year old lefty swinging 1B Nick Johnson from the Nationals for 22-year old lefty starting pitcher Aaron Thompson. Johnson played in 98 games for the Nationals this season and he was 104 for 353 (.295 avg, .810 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 6 homers, 44 RBIs and he walked 63 times. Johnson will help the Marlins defensively as he’s one of the better 1B in the game. He will also help out setting the table at the top of the lineup. Johnson has now played in 735 games in his major league career and he is 664 for 2,435 (.273 avg, .846 OPS) with 385 runs scored, 87 homers, 361 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. Aaron Thompson was the Marlins’ #13 rated prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Thompson has pitched in 20 games (all starts) in AA-ball this season and he is 5-9 with a 4.11 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. I like this move for the Marlins as it’s a win now move.