Volquez introduced: ‘Marlins were my first choice’

MIAMI — A major piece of the Marlins’ pitching puzzle is officially in place. The club on Thursday afternoon announced the signing of Edinson Volquez to a two-year deal.

The 33-year-old reached agreement with Miami on Monday, pending his physical. Now that all the paperwork is finalized, Volquez, who spent the past two seasons with the Royals, helps solidify the Marlins’ biggest area of need.

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“It was an obvious need,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. “I speak a lot about our desire to add pitching and to add pieces that we think can help us. In Edinson Volquez, you have a veteran, experienced All-Star, world champion. He will fit nicely on our staff and gives us another proven starter who logs innings. We think he can have a really good year.”

Per team policy, the Marlins don’t announce financial terms, but MLB.com has confirmed Volquez has signed for $22 million, and he will make $9 million in 2017 and $13 million in ’18.

Now, it’s official!We’ve signed Edinson V��lquez to a two-year contract through the 2018 season! pic.twitter.com/43fZvfNGEC

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) December 1, 2016

Now, it’s official!We’ve signed Edinson V��lquez to a two-year contract through the 2018 season! pic.twitter.com/43fZvfNGEC

Volquez has made lived in Miami for the past three years, and he said the Marlins were his first choice.

“I wanted to sign right away,” said Volquez, who will wear No. 36. “I wanted to know right away where I was going to be. The Marlins were my first choice. I’m here.”

Volquez joins a rotation that already includes lefties Adam Conley and Wei-Yin Chen and right-hander Tom Koehler.

Volquez also brings a winning pedigree to a Marlins club competing for a playoff berth in 2017. …

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