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Remember that former closer that was formerly named some other former name? Now he can finally return to the United States. Regarding Juan Oviedo, from Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald:
Juan Carlos Oviedo, the relief pitcher for the Marlins formerly known as Leo Nunez, received his visa Wednesday to return to the United States according to a published report in El Caribe.
Although Oviedo can return to the U.S. it doesn't mean he can pitch right away. He still has to serve an eight week suspension laid down by Major League Baseball.
This comes as no surprise, as the Marlins likely would not have signed Oviedo to a one-year, $6 million deal if they did not expect him to return in some capacity in 2012, even though the team loses no money while he sits on the restricted list. The Marlins think that because Oviedo has "closer experience" and is a "proven closer," he could fit in a setup role for the Marlins this season. The truth is that Oviedo had one good season in 2010, and the Marlins ruined whatever he was doing well that year by tinkering with him and turning him into a regressed version of the Oviedo of 2009.
Remember, Oviedo still has to serve an eight-week suspension for his name fraud situation, so do not expect to see him any time soon to bail out a decent bullpen that has been prone to the occasional meltdown. Not that fans of the Marlins necessarily want Oviedo to return, given his old nickname (with his old "name") of "the LeoCoaster" giving you an idea of what kind of innings he often times has. Still, he has stuff, can face lefties and righties at about equal (mediocre) efficiency, and another arm in the pen cannot hurt the team.
Do not kid yourselves, however. The Marlins are gaining a reliever and not anything remotely associated with "trade bait." No one but the Marlins want anything to do with Oviedo at the price for which the Marlins signed him, and the fact that he will return just means that the Marlins will get the opportunity to foot his overpriced, closer-inflated bill. Yes, another arm is fine, but he is nothing more than that.