Marlins agree to deals with Locke, Ellis and McGowan

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Still in the mix for a high-priced closer, the Marlins on Wednesday accomplished some lower-profile needs and addressed three areas.

Miami came to terms with left-hander Jeff Locke, right-handed reliever Dustin McGowan and backup catcher A.J. Ellis on one-year deals, pending physicals. The moves have yet to be officially announced, keeping the 40-man roster at 37 heading into Thursday’s Rule 5 Draft.

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The Marlins continue to be in talks with free agent closers Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen.

To participate in the Rule 5 Draft, which wraps up the Winter Meetings, a team must have at least one vacancy on the 40-man roster.

Locke, formerly with the Pirates, will compete for a back-of-the-rotation spot. The 29-year-old’s deal is worth $3 million.

“He gives us another starting option who we think is in line for a bounce-back year, and he has the ability to give us quality innings,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said.

Locke, who had been with the Pirates since 2011, would become one of three left-handers in Miami’s projected rotation. He will join fellow southpaws Wei-Yin Chen and Adam Conley. The right-handed options for manager Don Mattingly are Edinson Volquez and Tom Koehler.

“They’re all different,” Hill said of the lefties. “We talked about that, exactly. To phrase Donnie, the best five. If they all throw left-handed, so be it. We’re trying to build the deepest, strongest rotation that we can. If we’re right-handed, left-handed, we want the best quality.”

The Marlins added even further to their potential battery by also shoring up their defense behind the …

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