Where Will Mr. 62 Go?

[TheMadDog31]

Francisco Rodriguez, the Angels' closer that had an INSANELY overrated season, will probably be one of the primary targets for any team when he's out on the Market. Since we can pretty much assume that the Yankees and the Red Sox won't go after "HR-Rod" (why would they?), I'm wondering who will get Rodriguez.

My guess is going to be the Mets. They have an abysmal bullpen all around, and they won't even have Billy Wagner next season, plus they have a fairly large amount of money and are in desperate need of ANY decent reliever. I think Rodriguez ends up at Citi.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Are the Angels going to try again to resign him? Or has it gotten worse for them in that regard?

There are rumors Detroit will go after him. I think for the money he'll command they can get a decent closer and some key middle relief components, which they so desperately need.

[gman5431]

Yeah, he is going to get a dumb contract. A waste of money if you ask me. Like my friend before me pointed out, instead a team could probably get 3-4 good relievers and have some money left over to waste. I do think he will go to the Mets too.

G Man

[Evangelion]

Francisco Rodriguez will get an absurd contract. Instead of talking who will end up with this good relief pitcher, most people are talking about which team will be foolish enough to give into the demands Rodriguez and his agent desires this winter. If your team has a closer, I'm sure you're happy your team won't be giving K-Rod 4-6 years in 14-18 million per year range.

[NYMets523]

When did he get the name "HR-Rod"?

Cardinals might be an option. They had a horrible bullpen and seems like they want to get a big name.

Tigers might but they need to reduce payroll, not add.

Mets are probably the most likely target but I can see them signing Fuentes or trading for someone instead.

[KevinWI]

What bothers me about Frank-Rod, is the way he celebrates after getting a save.

I'm all for pitchers pumping their fists and showing some emotion and all that, but Franky gets three outs then celebrates like he just closed out Game 7 of the World Series with the bases loaded and Babe Ruth at the plate.

Edit: Honestly, it doesn't look like he's serious. It looks like he's mock celebrating and mimicking the things he's seen guys who have just pitched a no-hitter do.

[Mattingly]

Between Manny Ramirez and Francisco Rodriguez, I figure that the Mets would be most interested. Minaya likes overpriced contracts, loves the Hispanic players who have personalities which have an exclamation point. Plus they're in need of a closer.

I think he does fine at what he does, but he will command a lot more money than what he may be worth.

I believe that if he goes to any other team, he'd have to assume fireman duties, so he would come in "as needed", not just for the 9th inning. Looking at tonight's Rays-BoSox game, Okajima, the setup, came in to finish the 5th inning, and Papelbon came in for the 7th inning. Not an ideal world, and when the game is on the line, why keep your best reliever sitting plumply on his keester? Can't have a save if the team loses, so all that sitting around would be for naught.

[Mattingly]

What bothers me about Frank-Rod, is the way he celebrates after getting a save.

I'm all for pitchers pumping their fists and showing some emotion and all that, but Franky gets three outs then celebrates like he just closed out Game 7 of the World Series with the bases loaded and Babe Ruth at the plate.

Edit: Honestly, it doesn't look like he's serious. It looks like he's mock celebrating and mimicking the things he's seen guys who have just pitched a no-hitter do.
Don't be silly. I've hard that Franky is always so modest about his celebrations. No need for concern. ;)

http://i37.tinypic.com/25it1zb.jpg

[KevinWI]

Don't be silly. I've hard that Franky is always so modest about his celebrations. No need for concern. ;)

[pic snipped]

Goodness, it looks like somebody put icy-hot in his jockstrap.

[yamsi12]

I'll be glad when he's off my angels team.

[Mattingly]

Goodness, it looks like somebody put icy-hot in his jockstrap.
You mean he didn't defeat Godzilla, King Kong, choke a pit bull dog, steal food from a pride of hungry lions, drown a 14-ft crocodile in a battle royale, *THEN* pitched 3 perfect innings in Game 7 of the WS to secure the win before that pic was taken? Oh my gosh, then he needs to get a life. In that case, I'd suggest some modesty on his part, if that's even possible (at least a life that doesn't include serious admiration of the mirror, of course).

If there's one thing we Yankee fans love about Mo is that he's never once embarassed the life out of us with that crazy behavior. He wins, there's that calm poker-faced semi-smile on his face.

I still think that K-Rod should stop worrying about being babied, as Scioscia has done to him, as if the personal savs stat are more important than the team's good. Lots of wins, countless saves, but in the end, he wasn't as tested in fierce survival skills that I feel he should've been.

Look at how Papelbon was used on Thursday. Instead of some silly scripted 9th inning appearance that's rigorously adhered to, he should "have ball, will travel" ... to the mound. Get yourself out of the pen, go out there when the game is on the line, kick butt and take names. That's my idea of a firefighter. Jump into the bloody battle and start shooting away like it's a John Wayne cowboy movie. Last man standing (or at least breathing) wins it all. That's my idea of a closer.

He's excellent in a limited role, but he's not a complete closer, presuming my opinion is at least halfway important.

[nerfan]

Goodness, it looks like somebody put icy-hot in his jockstrap.


:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[TheMadDog31]

He's excellent in a limited role, but he's not a complete closer, presuming my opinion is at least halfway important.

Your opinion is definetly important.

I look at Rodriguez and you know what I see? I see another Trevor Hoffman.

Hoffman is a one-inning guy. Sometimes less. Just like Rodriguez, which is why I've never considered Hoffman to even be in the same league as Mariano Rivera (they really technically aren't anyways). Hoffman hasn't had a save that's required more than three outs since 2002. In fact, he hasn't even pitched more than an inning since 2004. Rivera on the other hand, had nine four plus out saves this year alone. I just don't consider either one of those pitchers as good as their records indicate. Hoffman is the all-time saves leader, and yet he's nowhere near Rivera's area. Same for Rodriguez. Sure, he shattered Bobby's record, but Bobby's season was way, way, way more impressive than Rodriguez's.

[The Splendid Splinter]

Your opinion is definetly important.

I look at Rodriguez and you know what I see? I see another Trevor Hoffman.

Hoffman is a one-inning guy. Sometimes less. Just like Rodriguez, which is why I've never considered Hoffman to even be in the same league as Mariano Rivera (they really technically aren't anyways). Hoffman hasn't had a save that's required more than three outs since 2002. In fact, he hasn't even pitched more than an inning since 2004. Rivera on the other hand, had nine four plus out saves this year alone. I just don't consider either one of those pitchers as good as their records indicate. Hoffman is the all-time saves leader, and yet he's nowhere near Rivera's area. Same for Rodriguez. Sure, he shattered Bobby's record, but Bobby's season was way, way, way more impressive than Rodriguez's.

K Rod had 4 1+ innings game in 2007 (10 in 2006). Then look at his setup man years. It's not like he can't go more than 1 innings. I consider this year pretty much a fluke year considering how many close games the Angels had and the way the manager used him. I bet next year K Rod will have a few 1+ saves again. Also... pretty much nobody is in the same league as Rivera. I def. have Hoffman a couple tiers below Rivera, but I have K Rod on the same level as Wagner (at the moment, based on his peak/what he done/potential future career) and could get up to Rivera's level if he can keep it up for another 10 years and get his ERA+ up.

[yamsi12]

I saw a save by K-rod this season that was a one pitch save against the yankees in august. Seriously, a one pitch save. Thats pathetic.

this is from a lifelong angels fan. Hes no hoffman or rivera.