Deal Done: Marlins Get Nunez

'The 25-year-old Nunez, not yet in his arbitration years, finished with a 4-1 record and a 2.98 ERA in 45 games for the Royals this past season. He threw 48 1/3 innings, striking out 26 while walking 15.

'Beinfest said the Marlins have had interest in Nunez for a couple of seasons.

'"We weren't able to get our hands on him," Beinfest said of previous attempts to acquire the right-hander. "We think he can pitch later in the game for us. The seventh inning or later."

'Nunez broke in with the Royals in 2005, and he has appeared in 106 games. His career record is 9-7 with a 4.92 ERA. A native of the Dominican Republic, he adds big league experience to the bullpen. Some feel he could eventually get a chance to close.' (MLB)

'Nuñez, 25, is expected to be a key member of the Marlins bullpen. The native of the Dominican Republic...began the year as the Royals' set-up man but then missed 46 games with a strained muscle near his rib cage and struggled initially after returning in July.

'He is slight of build but throws a mid-90s fastball in addition to a hard slider.

'"We've liked him, actually, for a couple of years and weren't able to get our hands on him,'' said Larry Beinfest, the Marlins' president of baseball operations. ``He's not really an imposing guy, but we think he can pitch later in the game, the seventh inning or later."

'Trading Jacobs allows the Marlins to lower payroll and create an opening for prospect Gaby Sanchez, who was the Double A Southern League's Most Valuable Player. Sanchez, who will be given a chance to win the first base job, hit .314 with 17 homers, 92 RBI and 17 steals.

'The Marlins also could move third baseman Jorge Cantu to first base if Sanchez doesn't win the job. In that scenario, Dallas McPherson could play third base. The Marlins also have Wes Helms, who can play first or third.' (MiamiHerald)

'Nunez, 25, won't qualify for arbitration until after the 2009 season...and will earn right around the $400,000 league minimum next season. Since making his major league debut in 2005, Nunez has struck out 102 and walked 48 in 159 innings.

'A native of the Dominican Republic, Nunez is a wiry 6 feet 1, 175 pounds, but throws in the mid-90s. He mostly pitched the seventh inning and was especially tough on right-handed hitters, who he held to a .230 average and .574 on-base plus slugging percentage. In addition, Nunez gave up just two homers, both to lefties, in 181 at-bats.

'Nunez spent time on the disabled list with an oblique injury, and he fractured a wrist in 2007 at spring training.' (SunSentinel)