Reports: Twins in discussions with veteran starter Jason Marquis

The Minnesota Twins need a starting pitcher, and they don't have much money to spend.

So it's only fitting that 33-year-old right-hander Jason Marquis would be a candidate for the job.

Multiple reports Wednesday night indicated the Twins were in deep discussions with Marquis, who posted a 4.43 ERA and 4.05 FIP in 132 innings with the Diamondbacks and Nationals last season.

Marquis owns a career 4.55 ERA and 4.79 FIP with 5.23 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.46 walks per nine in 1,675 2/3 innings.

Not exactly lights-out.

Marquis was the victim of some bad luck last season when he missed the final two months of the season with a fractured fibula. Marquis also missed more than three months in 2010 due to right elbow surgery.

Marquis signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Nationals prior to the 2010 season before getting dealt to the Diamondbacks in July last season.

Phil Mackey is a columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He co-hosts "Reusse & Mackey" weekdays from 4 to 6pm on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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