Juan Oviedo arrives in United States, what now?

Miami Marlins reliever Juan Carlos Oviedo (formerly known as Leo Nunez) has arrived in the United States  on a legal work visa. The 30-year-old right-hander is back in Miami and will work out in the team’s spring training complex at Jupiter tomorrow.

The 1.5 WAR closer in 2010 may or may not appeal the eight-week suspension he will be facing due to falsifying his identity (like many others, such as “Fausto Carmona” who is really Roberto Hernandez). Oviedo may have to start his suspension right away, but won’t be back until after the All-Star break no matter when his suspension starts.

Last season, Juan Oviedo had a down year and was worth just 0.2 WAR, as his career-high 36 saves were misleading. Oviedo increased his saves output each year since becoming Miami’s closer in 2009. His strike out was down two batters per nine to a more likely total that was near his career average. He did have a lucky .268 BABIP and finished the year with a 4.16 xFIP.

In his final two seasons with the Kansas City Royals, Oviedo was worth 0.5 and 0.6 WAR before being a huge disappointment in his first season with the Miami Marlins. The first-year closer saved 26 games, but he had a horrible 5.17 FIP, walked far too many batters, and served up homers like burgers at Red Robin. It was amazing that the Marlins led him hold down the closer role and pitch a career-high 68.2 innings.

Things got better for Oviedo a year later. He was worth 1.5 WAR in what was easily the best season of his career, and his resurgence coincided with an overall renaissance in the Marlins bullpen (especially at the beginning of the year).

The future looks partly cloudy for Juan Oviedo, as the work visa certainly helps and makes things brighter (hence, the partly cloudy skies). The cloudiness comes from the uncertainty regarding his future role with the club and his future suspension that he might appeal.

The good news for Oviedo is that the Marlins bullpen has been poor this season, and there is much uncertainty regarding the hierarchy of the high leverage relievers who are underwhelming overall. Despite a down year in 2011 and the background noise, Oviedo should be able to hold down at least a set-up man spot when he gets back. Legally speaking, he’s in the clear; it’s the suspension that is the big topic and comprises the clouds on the horizon.

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