Ken Davidoff of the New York Post, writes that the New York Mets want to upgrade their bullpen, and that former Met closer Francisco Rodriguez is one of a few players the front office is targeting according to what a source with knowledge of the situation.
Davidoff points out a few good reasons why the Brewers may be in “sell mode” and why “K-Rod would be an excellent fit with the Mets — as their closer:”
Rodriguez, who is now 30, is earning $8 million dollars and probably has about half of that still coming to him for the rest of this season. He is 1-4 with no saves and has a 4.00 ERA, in 39 appearances games over 36 innings with the Brewers.
His velocity is actually higher since his time with the Mets, but he’s been less effective than what you would expect, although he is maintaining a 2:1 K/BB rate and has been very good against right-handed hitters who he’s held to a 188 batting average.
The article cites the following:
No, Rodriguez hasn’t been great this season. Yet his velocity has increased from last year — his fastball was averaging 91.4 mph compared to last year’s 90.3, according to FanGraphs — and he has been unlucky on his home runs per flyball rate (13.3 percent, as compared to his career rate of 8.2 percent). It also would be worth wagering K-Rod, who has been setting up for Milwaukee closer John Axford since the Mets traded him to the Brewers last July, would improve upon returning to his closer role
I don’t think K-Rod is cut out to be a setup man and I also believe he may thrive again in the closer role, but then there’s the small matter of what it would cost to acquire him.
