28-year old righty swinging outfielder Ryan Patterson to a minor league deal. Patterson played in 99 games in Independent ball last year and he was 141 of 434 (.325 avg, .928 OPS) with 95 runs scored, 20 homers, 90 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He has now played in 731 games in his first 7 years in the minors and he is 852 of 2,973 (.287 avg, .817 OPS) with 466 runs scored, 120 homers, 504 RBIs and 52 stolen bases. Patterson will likely start the 2012 season in the minors for the Marlins.

The Marlins have designated 25-year old righty starting pitcher Elih Villanueva for assignment. Villanueva pitched in 1 game (1 start) for the Marlins last year and he was 0-1 with a 24.00 ERA and a 3.33 WHIP. That was his major league debut. Villanueva also pitched in 28 games (all starts) in AAA-ball for the Marlins last year and he was 7-11 with a 5.35 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. He has now pitched in 95 games (87 starts) in his first four years in the minors and he is 33-29 with a 3.54 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Villanueva might not make it through waivers.

UPDATE: (1/13/2012) - Elih Villanueva has cleared waivers and he has accepted an outright assignment to AAA.

The Marlins have acquired 30-year old righty starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano and $15 million bucks for 25-year old righty starting pitcher Chris Volstad. The Marlins will only be on the hook for $3 million of the $18 million bucks owed to Zambrano for 2012. Zambrano pitched in 24 games (all starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. He has now pitched in 319 games (282 starts) in his first 11 years in the majors and he is 125-81 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Zambrano is also a really good hitter for a pitcher. He is 159 of 659 (.241 avg, .646 OPS) with 72 runs scored, 23 homers, 69 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He goes up to the plate hacking as he has whiffed 232 times in his major league career while only walking 10 times. Zambrano has been selected to the N.L. All-Star team three times in his career so far and he has also won 3 Silver Slugger Awards. Zambrano has always been a good starting pitcher, but his temper consistently got him into trouble in Chicago. Marlins’ manager Ozzie Guillen thinks he can handle him, and if he can…..the Marlins made a good deal here. Chris Volstad pitched in 29 games (all starts) for the Marlins last year and he was 5-13 with a 4.89 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. He pitched in 103 games (102 starts) in his four years with the Marlins and he was 32-39 with a 4.59 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Volstad had been a disappointment since his very solid rookie year.

The Marlins have signed 27-year old righty reliever Rob Delaney to a minor league deal. Delaney pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the Rays last year and he was 0-0 with a 10.50 ERA and a 2.20 WHIP. He also pitched in 51 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Rays last year and he was 4-2 with 13 saves, a 1.86 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. Delaney has now pitched in 5 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 0-0 with a 10.50 ERA and a 2.33 WHIP. Maybe a change of scenery will spark Rob Delaney to start having some success in the majors.

The Marlins have signed 28-year old righty reliever/starter Chad Gaudin to a minor league deal. Gaudin pitched in 10 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last year and he was 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA and a 2.40 WHIP. He has now pitched in 268 games (75 starts) in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 36-40 with 2 saves, a 4.63 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. Gaudin will have a shot to win a long man job in the Marlins’ pen this spring.