Miami Marlins free agent spending was a mixed bag

The Miami Marlins made some big free agent acquisitions for the 2012 season, and ended up in last place with a 69-93 record to show for it, notes Juan Rodriguez at the Sun Sentinel. Heath Bell, Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle were all substantial contracts for the Marlins, and all three put in disappointing performances in 2012.

Bell had more than 40 saves in the three seasons prior to signing with Miami, but he managed only 19 in his first year with the Fish. His ERA, only once higher than 3.50 since 2007, was 5.09.

Reyes played a strong second half in comparison to his struggles before the All Star break, but his final numbers have to be disappointing. His 2012 batting average was 50 points lower than his 2011 average, .287 to .337, with nearly a 40 point drop in his on-base percentage. He grounded into twice as many double plays in 2012 as he did in 2011.

Buehrle went 13-13 for Miami, with numbers very close to his career 162 game averages. That's a mark of consistency, but Miami may have been hoping for more from the four-year, $58 million deal they gave the pitcher.