K-Rod Price Falling
Several sources are suggesting that the price for Francisco Rodriguez is falling quickly, and the Mets would do well to wait him out.
At five years, $75M, K-Rod is a risk, due to his violent throwing motion and the 408 career appearances in his young career. At, say, three years and $40M, signing him is a no-brainer.
It helps immensely that the Angels have moved on — and makes one wonder why they were so quick to leave the bidding. They know K-Rod better than anyone … is there some well-kept medical secret they’re not sharing? The Angels don’t appear to have an immediate in-house replacement, and Rodriguez has been a key to their success for the last six years. Makes one wonder.
Also, it helps that the deep-pocketed Red Sox and Yankees have no need for a closer. Further, that the Cubs seem more interested in retaining Kerry Wood than opening up their wallets. The Dodgers are too busy trying to keep Manny Ramirez, and probably aren’t in the market for a closer anyway. With those four clubs out of the running, who is left with the money to take on K-Rod?
In the past few years, the Giants have come out of nowhere to make ridiculously high signings (for Barry Zito and Aaron Rowand), so they are always a possibility. The Reds made a big splash last winter on Francisco Cordero — but obviously, they wouldn’t be looking to sign another big-ticket closer. Those two teams in Texas like to do things “big” every now and then, and both could use a bonafide closer, so I’d guess they will be the top bidders for the Mets to watch (ironically, there’s already a Texas sports talk radio station called “KROD“). It may come down to whether K-Rod truly wants to be on the big stage that is New York City.
On a sidenote, Kevin Gregg got shipped to the Cubs today, continuing Florida’s firesale. I’m relieved Omar decided against acquiring Gregg, who would be no permanent solution to our closing woes. Meanwhile, the Cubs will likly use Gregg in a setup role, which could allow them to slide Carlos Marmol into their closer’s role vacated by Kerry Wood. They might still re-sign Wood, but I’m guessing that likelihood lessened with this deal. Funny how so much conversation has revolved around Krod, Fuentes, Putz, Jenks, and Street, all while Wood is a free agent and a very capable replacement for Billy Wagner.
Meanwhile deals are getting done. I am appalled by the Yanks price for Damaso Marte which makes the Sho contract look palatable.