Closer and relief signings, injuries, and extensions not many saw coming

Three closers have recently been signed, but the question is, are they still worthy of holding the closer position? First off the Mariners kept it going by picking up Fernando Rodney for two years for 14 million. The 37 year old had a great 2012 season with 0.60 ERA, but slacked a little bit in the 2013 season with a 3.38 ERA. Rodney did fare better than what his former team paid their new closer Grant Balfour, as he signed with the Rays for 12 million over two years. After having issues signing with the Orioles, it was only fitting that he signed with a division rival. While Joaquin Benoit signed with the Padres fro 15.5 million over two years. Out of what was left, those three closers can most likely still hold the role and bring home the saves. Age is becoming a factor for each of them, but with those big pay checks they better come through with the numbers and performance those franchises are looking for.
Mets turned to former closer Kyle Farnsworth and signed him to a minor league contract, if he is to make the major league roster he will get 1 million dollars. Farnsworth has slipped up over the last few years after having his surprising 2011 season with the Rays where he picked up 25 saves. Rangers went ahead and added to the bullpen with the signing of Daniel Bard. After Bards multiple seasons as a spectacular set up man for Boston, the Red Sox tried to turn Bard into a starter which lead to a bunch of control issues. Coming off a bad season, the Rangers look to use him where he is more comfortable behind Feliz and Soria. Carlos Marmol came to a deal for one year, 1.25 million with the Marlins. After going to the Dodgers last season, Marmol appeared to have lost his role as closer but this may be his opportunity to get it back. But does he have the right stuff? The Marlins recently have been a team just picking up the trash players for cheap. This may be another one of those situations. The 31 year old isn't held down by age like many of the others, but we will see if he can still use his speed and have control.
The Marlins went ahead and picked up Jeff Baker for two years to add to the offense as Stanton is the only thing really left. But it hasn't just been the Marlins busy in the NL East, the Braves have made some big news with their signings and extensions of their two big bats Freeman and Heyward. First a 135 million, 8 year extension to Freddie Freeman, the biggest contract in franchise history for the Atlanta Braves. People are in question of this move, as Freeman has good pop but is not among the elite, yet anyways. This could turn out to be genius or a very bad move. This means they could not afford to give Heyward anything to big, as they signed him for 2 years at 16 million. But this also limits what they will be able to offer Kimbrel and many others on the roster over the next few years. Though they report not looking into trading Uggla, it could be beneficial to get his huge contract off their payroll. Look for the Braves to still be contenders this season in their fight with the Nationals and Mets.  

When it comes to injuries, the Padres will have to wait longer for Corey Luebke to come back to the rotation with a torn ligament. Luebke missed a good amount of 2012 and all of last year, but it appears he is need of another procedure before even coming back from his Tommy John. Padres were hoping he we would be a big part of the pitching rotation this season, but patience will need to be key in San Diego.  The Rays will have to miss Jeremy Hellickson until mid May with elbow issues. he is to get surgery and it will keep him out of the picture for the opening part of the season. With the Rays not trading Price yet, things were starting to appear that they may deal away Hellickson instead. But with this injury issue, you can expect that not to be the case.
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