Nationals Agree To Deal With SP Jason Marquis

The Washington Nationals have reached a two-year agreement with free agent pitcher Jason Marquis, according to MASNsports.com. Financial details of the deal are not yet known.

Marquis likely will slot into the second spot in Washington's rotation, behind de facto ace John Lannan. Marquis is coming off his best season since 2004, posting a 4.10 FIP and a 4.41 xFIP in 216 innings for the Rockies, posting a very impressive 3.8 WAR. His primary value comes from his durability, he's made at least 28 starts in each of the past six seasons and has pitched 190+ innings in five of those seasons.

Early reaction from our resident experts on all things Nationals, Federal Baseball, is quick to give credit to the team's GM, Mike Rizzo, for sticking to his plan.

When ... Rizzo gave Washington Post writer Chico Harlan a list of free agent pitchers the Washington Nationals would target this winter back in early September '09, (which included just about every big name on the market), for a Nationals Journal post entitled, "Reading Material, Shopping Lists", he also promised the DC Faithful, "We're going to get one of them."