As expected, the Milwaukee Brewers declined the $17.5 million mutual option on former Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez. K-Rod’s deal was reworked shortly after he was traded from the Mets during the All-Star break, changing it from an option that would have become guaranteed had he finished 55 games to a mutual option.
Rodriguez was used primarily as a setup man by the Brewers and excelled in that role posting a 1.86 ERA and picking up 17 holds in 31 games.
The major-league record holder for saves in a single season (62) had a 6-2 record with a 2.64 ERA and 23 saves last season with New York and Milwaukee. The Brewers are expected to offer Rodriguez, a Type-A free agent, arbitration and eventually gain two compensation picks in next year’s draft.
K-Rod, 29, has not ruled out a return to the Mets, “I’m open-minded and open to going to New York once again in the future”, Rodriguez said. “I don’t have any hard feelings for nobody. They did what they had to do.”
Sandy Alderson has said on a couple of occasions that he may go outside the organization to secure a closer for the 2012 season, and a team official did not rule Rodriguez out.
What do you think…encore presentation?
