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MIAMI -- Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is going from the World Series champions to a team that lost 100 games. Saltalamacchia has agreed to a $21 million, three-year deal with the Miami Marlins, two people familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday. The people confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been finalized. Saltalamacchia started the past three seasons for the Boston Red Sox, who were reluctant to offer him a multiyear deal. The switch-hitter batted a career-high .273 with 15 homers, 40 doubles and 65 RBIs last season. He hit .188 in the post-season and was benched during the World Series. The Marlins will count on Saltalamacchia to give their offence a much-needed boost. Miami ranked last in the majors in 2013 in runs and batting, and their catchers batted only .194 and totalled nine home runs, with Jeff Mathis, Rob Brantly and Miguel Olivo sharing the job. Mathis is expected to return next season as a backup. "Welcome to Miami Jarrod!" Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton tweeted. "Marlins need water thats Salty." Under terms of the agreement with Saltalamacchia, hell make $6 million in 2014, $7 million in 2015 and $8 million in 2016. He becomes by far the highest-paid player for the Marlins, who had the lowest payroll in the NL last season at $45 million and are expected to be in that vicinity in 2014. The 28-year-old Saltalamacchia made $4.5 million last season. Hes the first catcher to agree to a multiyear deal with the Marlins since John Buck, who signed an $18 million, three-year deal in 2011 and was traded a year ago. Saltalamacchia grew up in West Palm Beach, Fla., not far from the Marlins spring training complex in Jupiter. Hes a career .246 hitter with 73 homers in 595 games. Mats Naslund Jersey . 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Max Domi Jersey . - The New England Patriots needed help on defence so they added three experienced players at midseason. ATLANTA -- A long rain delay and extra innings tested the Washington Nationals mental and physical strength. Matt Williams said he was impressed his NL East-leading team finally found a way to win. Wilson Ramos bases-loaded single sparked Washingtons three-run 11th inning, and the Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 on Saturday night. The start of the game was delayed by 3 hours, 41 minutes, and the final out wasnt recorded until Sunday at 2:29 a.m. "Considering all that happened today and the way we had to fight through the last couple of days, it was pretty good for us," Williams said. "We fought all the way." It was the Braves ninth loss in 10 games. The Nationals increased their lead in the division over Atlanta to 4 1/2 games. Anthony Rendon and Adam LaRoche led off the 11th with singles against David Carpenter (4-2). After left fielder Justin Upton made a leaping catch of Ian Desmonds liner, James Russell walked Bryce Harper to load the bases. Ramos then drove in Rendon with a single up the middle off Anthony Vavaro, Atlantas third pitcher of the inning. Devin Frandsens double to right field drove in two runs to make it 4-1. Ramos was initially ruled safe at home on the play, but the call was overturned following a replay challenge by Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. Tyler Clippard (7-2) pitched a scoreless 10th inning, and Rafael Soriano got three outs for his 26th save in 30 chances. The Braves, who snapped an eight-game losing streak Friday night with a 7-6 win over the Nationals, were frustrated by leaving 11 runners on base. More offensive struggles wasted a strong start by Aaron Harang, who allowed one run in seven innings. "Its tough, especially against a team that we know were trying to make up ground on," Harang said. LaRoches homer in the sixth gave Washington a 1-0 lead, but the Braves tied it in the bottom half. Washingtons Tanner Roark and Harang opened with five scoreless innings before LaRoche led off the sixth with his 16th homer. The Braves settled for one run after loading the bases with no outs in the sixth. Tommy La Stella scored on Jason Heywards broken-bat fly ball to shallow centre field. Roark also lasted seeven innings, allowing one run, six hits and three walks.dddddddddddd BOOS FOR BRYCE Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, booed consistently by Braves fans, might have tried to send a message back to the fans by scraping his cleat over the Atlanta "A" carved into the dirt behind the batters box, as if trying to scuff it. Fans responded with more boos. SPAN THE MAN Denard Spans fifth-inning triple gave him a 13-game hitting streak. He has reached base in 35 consecutive games, a streak that began on June 28. ALUMNI SOFTBALL Newly inducted Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, and Chipper Jones were among the former Braves players who played in a legends softball game. Jones, wearing shorts and striped socks, homered in his first at-bat. Maddux settled for a double. John Rocker and Ryan Klesko were among other players to easily clear the short fence for homers. TRAINERS ROOM Nationals: Right fielder Jayson Werth was scratched from the lineup as he continues to be slowed by a sore right ankle and right shoulder. He walked as a pinch-hitter in the 11th and should start on Sunday night, according to Williams. ... Outfielder Steven Souza, who hurt his shoulder in a collision with the right-field wall and left Fridays game, entered as a pinch-runner for Werth. Braves: Shortstop Andrelton Simmons sprained left ankle is improving. Gonzalez said Simmons might play by Tuesday. Simmons was no longer wearing a soft cast, but had the ankle wrapped. ... Right-hander Shae Simmons, on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain since July 27, said he "felt really good today" throwing in the outfield. He still hasnt thrown off a mound. UP NEXT Nationals: Left-hander Gio Gonzalez will try to end a streak of four straight losses in his last five starts at Turner Field on Sunday night. He won his first two career starts in Atlanta before a long string of bad luck. Gonzalez has received one run of support in each of his last five starts in Atlanta. Braves: Left-hander Alex Wood will look for his first win since July 20. Wood is 0-2 in his last three starts, dropping him to 7-9 with a 3.20 ERA for the season. Wood is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts against Washington this season. ' ' '