Miami Palms Blog

Ivan Fernandez was non-tendered, as the Palms expected his salary would climb above what they deemed he was worth. After a rough season pitching and another rough season as a reliever, the Palms weren't initially keen on bringing him back. He will be back, though, on a minor league deal, and with a quick look at the current roster, there is a very good chance that Fernandez will start the season in the bullpen once again.

The Miami Palms will look to veteran Tim Byrdak to fill out their bullpen this season. The Palms added the 38 year old who comes over from the Mets. Byrdak has a career ERA of 4.30 and has been a reliever for the course of his career. He will work in middle relief for the Palms, much as he has over the course of his career.

Matt Holliday's one season in Miami is over, as he has agreed t oa deal that will take him back to the National League Central. Holliday played left field for the Palms, a position that will be claimed by slugger Frank Sohn in the 2013 season, with Steve Drysdale finding a role as the designated hitter. On a team with a fairly swift outfield, and a lineup featuring several players who can hit for average and power, resources were better directed elsewhere this season. Holliday will do well in his new home in Cincinnati, as he bolsters a young, talented roster.

The Miami Palms were looking to improve their rotation this offseason, and have sought to do so by adding some of their best bullpen arms, a top rookie prospect and a free agent acquisition in Lucas Harrell. Javier Vazquez retired, and Dave Balierough and Kevin Correia were squeezed out. Balierough already signed with the Brewers, but now Kevin Correia has been added to the Detroit Tigers' rotation. He will likely be a spot starter and work relief in a very strong rotation. He was never very durable in Miami, and with a shaky bullpen for so long, the Palms needed to move in a different direction. An ERA that was never better than 5.68 wasn't much of an allure either.