According to Chris Cotillo of SBNation, the Mets are among teams interested in free agent reliever Fernando Rodney. Other teams interested include the Twins, Rangers, Diamondbacks, and Tigers.
Rodney is still an effective reliever at the age of 40. With the Diamondbacks in 2017, he appeared in 61 games and saved 39. In 55.1 innings he struck out 65 and walked 26, pitching to a 4.23 ERA and 3.03 FIP. This is one case in particular where looking at the FIP as opposed to ERA is important as he played in hitter-friendly Arizona.
After an abysmal April during which he allowed 14 earned runs in 10.0 innings, he recovered nicely pitching to a 2.38 ERA and 0.95 WHIP for the rest of the season. Opponents could muster a feeble .154/.250/.192 slash line against him with one home run during those 45.1 innings
With the help of an extremely effective change-up paired with a blazing fastball, he has long been an effective closer having saved an even 300 games in his career pitching for the Tigers, Angels, Rays, Mariners, Cubs, Padres, Marlins, and Diamondbacks.
His best season was 2012 and was not only his best, but one of the best ever for a reliever. He saved 48 games with an 0.60 ERA, 2.13 FIP and 0.777 WHIP in 74.2 innings for the Rays. Just to make sure you understand how incredible a 0.60 ERA is over the course of an entire season, that’s five earned runs. Five.
While an 0.60 ERA is too much to expect, he is still a solid reliever at 40 years old. He would make a nice addition to a bullpen already anchored by Jeurys Familia, AJ Ramos, and Jerry Blevins.
Due to his age, he would likely accept a one or two-year contract, something Sandy Alderson has preferred with relievers. He is not the answer, but is part of the solution.
