The Marlins have signed 33-year old righty swinging infielder Nick Green to a minor league deal. Green played in 123 games in AAA-ball for the Orioles and Rangers last year and he was 107 of 455 (.235 avg, .683 OPS) with 57 runs scored, 12 homers, 63 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Green last played in the majors in 2010 for the Dodgers and Blue Jays. Green has now played in 393 games in his first six years in the majors and he is 237 for 1,000 (.237 avg, .653 OPS) with 142 runs scored, 16 homers, 96 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Green will get a shot to win a job on the Marlins’ bench next spring.

The Marlins have sent 28-year old righty reliever Burke Badenhop to the Rays for 24-year old lefty swinging catcher Jake Jefferies. Badenhop pitched in 50 games (0 starts) for the Marlins last year and he was 2-3 with 1 save, a 4.10 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. He pitched in 151 games (10 starts) in his four years with the Marlins and he was 13-15 with 2 saves, a 4.34 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Jake Jefferies played in 65 games in A+AA-ball for the Rays last year and he was 53 of 223 (.238 avg, .610 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 2 homers, 32 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He has now played in 349 games in his first four years in the minors and he is 321 for 1,264 (.254 avg, .661 OPS) with 138 runs scored, 13 homers, 153 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. The Marlins were likely going to non-tender Badenhop…..so it was good for them to find a trade partner and get something for him instead of letting him go for nothing.

The Marlins have signed 34-year old righty swinging outfielder Aaron Rowand to a minor league deal. Rowand played in 108 games for the Giants last year and he was 77 for 331 (.233 avg, .621 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 4 homers, 21 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He has now played in 1,358 games in his first 11 years in the majors and he is 1,193 of 4,374 (.273 avg, .765 OPS) with 613 runs scored, 136 homers, 536 RBIs and 67 stolen bases. This was a great signing for the Marlins as Rowand is a gamer as he plays all out, all of the time. He can handle all three outfield spots defensively and he has some pop in his bat. I would be surprised if Rowand doesn’t make the team out of spring training.

The Marlins have designated 32-year old righty reliever/starter Clay Hensley for assignment. Hensley pitched in 37 games (9 starts) for the Marlins last year and he was 6-7 with a 5.19 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. He pitched in 105 games (9 starts) in his first two years with the Marlins and he is 9-11 with 7 saves, a 3.60 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. The Marlins likely won’t miss Hensley too much, as they will just sign someone better to replace him in the bullpen.

UPDATE: (12/13/2011) - The Marlins have not tendered a contract to Clay Hensley for the 2012 season, so he is now a free agent.

The Marlins have signed 32-year old lefty starting pitcher Mark Buehrle to a 4-year, $58 million dollar deal. Buehrle pitched in 31 games (all starts) for the White Sox last year and he was 13-9 with a 3.59 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He has now pitched in 390 games (365 starts) in his first 12 years in the major leagues and he is 161-119 with a 3.83 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Buehrle is consistent as a starting pitcher can be as he has recording double digit wins 11 years in a row now. He also has won at least 15 games in a season five times. Buehrle has pitched in four All-Star Games in his career and he has won 3 Gold Gloves. Buehrle will give the Marlins’ starting rotation more balance and he will be a good role model for the younger starting pitchers on the staff. Marlins’ manager Ozzie Guillen likely had a lot to do with this signing as Buehrle was his ace in their time together with the White Sox.