Harry How - Getty Images
over 1 year ago: ANAHEIM CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Fernando Rodney #56 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium on September 12 2010 in Anaheim California. Angels won 3-0. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Update, 12:03am: Here's the latest on this from Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times:
#Rays deal with Rodney is NOT done, but is definitely in the works. Could be something official in next day or two.
So we'll have to wait for the final word, but it does seem like Rodney will be a Ray. The big question is how much his contract will guarantee. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a low base salary (minor league deal, please?) with incentives.
Original report: According to a report from ESPN Deportes, the Tampa Bay Rays have signed Fernando Rodney to a 1 year, $2-ish million deal. The story has been corroborated by Enrique Rojas from ESPN Deportes, and the story linked above (warning: the story is in Spanish) includes quotes from Rodney that detail the terms of the agreement.
There has been no further corroboration of this story, even though it was first published on December 29th. Feel free to be skeptical if you will, but my assumption is that this story simply slipped through the cracks over the holidays. I can't imagine there are many people with a hotline to Fernando Rodney, and anyway, he states in the story that the deal wouldn't be announced until January. ESPN Deportes is normally trustworthy on this sort of stuff.
So take it as you will, but I'm choosing to believe this report....although in all honesty, the $2 million price tag for Rodney seems like a stretch. Since the details of the contract are unknown, maybe that includes incentives? Maybe it's contingent on him making the club? I can't imagine it's all guaranteed. We'll have to see.
If this report is true, Rodney is a decent signing. He's a relief pitcher that has formerly displayed promise -- he has an 11.1% career swinging strike rate -- but he's had control issues over the past couple seasons that have sapped his effectiveness. He hasn't had a walk rate below 4.5 per nine since 2007, and last season he walked 28 batters in only 32 innings pitched. He can still generate strikeouts (7.20-ish K/9 over the past three seasons) and get plenty of groundballs (58% GB rate last season), but he will need to get his control down if he wants to get his career back on track.
A right-handed pitcher, Rodney has pretty even splits for his career (4.18 FIP vs. L; 4.17 FIP vs. R). He's a classic Power Arm, as he averages 95 MPH with his fastballs and he uses them quite frequently. He technically throws four main pitches -- a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, changeup, and slider -- but he rarely throws his slider anymore. His changeup appears to be his main offspeed weapon, and he throws it about 30% of the time.
Rodney seems to believe he's going to come in and compete for the closer role in Tampa Bay, which is somewhat laughable. He's a middle of the bullpen option (if his control is fixed) and he has the potential to develop into more, but he hasn't posted a sub-4 ERA since 2006. He's a good buy low option by Friedman, but I envision him more akin to Juan Cruz (Power Arm, wild, older, middling chances of breakout) than to someone like Joaquin Benoit (who had posted a 2.85 ERA, 3.17 FIP a mere two seasons before the Rays signed him).
And with this move, the Rays have likely finished building their bullpen for the 2012 season. I wouldn't liked for someone with a bit more upside than Rodney, but hey, its not like the Rays need another back-of-the-'pen arm. Rodney could work just fine.
Also, a huuuuge hat tip and shout out to John Gregg (@RaysDigest) for being the first one to uncover this news on ESPN Deportes. If you're not already following him on Twitter, do it. He's an awesome guy and his Rays site is full of great reads.
0 recs | 115 comments
The new Adam Russell
Same skills and lack there of
Jason Collette - January 3, 2012
Rodney has a few more GBs than Russell at least.
But yeah, rather similar. Which if this report is true, somewhat begs the question why we’re spending $2 million on him.
Steve Slowinski - January 3, 2012
Your last thought was my 1st one
Jason Collette - January 3, 2012
over there careers
Russell is a 48.5% GB and Rodney a 49%.
The range on most of Rodney’s per 9 stats is pretty interesting year to year. Most consistent in keeping the ball in the park.
MrNegative1 - January 3, 2012
Rodney has had a change in profile over the last three seasons, though.
Not sure why, but it looks legit.
Steve Slowinski - January 3, 2012
sort of
he has been 57.9 – 50.5 – 58.4 the last three years. 2 out of 3 ain’t bad!
One thing I always like to look at is 3 year usage of a reliever. I see guy get spent 2 years in a row and the 3rd year is god awful. I look at Rodney IP in 2009 (75.2) and 2010 (68) and see his performance in 2011 and I’ll cut him a little slack.
Hopefully, the Rays get a rested arm and Maddon finds a way to maximize his talents in the lower leverage role.
MrNegative1 - January 3, 2012
only with a much better track record
rglass44 - January 4, 2012
The problem with Rodney
is that I would always love when the other team brought him in to face us, figured he gave us a great shot to win. He’s so wild and Molina is actually pretty bad at blocking pitches. If it’s going to work out for any team, it’s the Rays as I felt the same about Farnsworth a year ago but blah. Happy news please, bring me a young 1B.
Sorry to Leuke, Ramos, Torres, DDLR, Bush and well if the Rays were thinking about moving Davis or Neimann to the pen, that ends that thought.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
I was just thinking the exact thing when I saw the headline myself
I can look back at several games over several seasons where we stole wins from teams because of his implosions. I think it will be very unlikely that we’ll see him after the 7th inning in games very often, but in the right situation a power arm will be good, and it isn’t like we’re breaking the bank for him.
BornAKardiacKid - January 3, 2012
Google Translation is amazing
“I think there is a position, (Tampa Bay) told me that no closer (is defined),” Rodney said, via the Google translation. “We will fight the post to see who wins. I have faith in God that if you have to fight the post, I’m going to go.”
fsucb - January 3, 2012 via mobile
this signing foreshadows a davis + farnsy trade
or sub in any other reliever, but it’d be best to sell high on kyle. GET SOME FUCKING POWER PROSPECTS!
pudieron89 - January 3, 2012
ah crap i'm drunk, sorry.
pudieron89 - January 3, 2012
It's possible it's a split contract
2 million if he makes the team. A whole lot less if he doesn’t.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
do you think he will make it walanski?
pudieron89 - January 3, 2012
I don't want him to
And that ends in a Y, buddy.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
I KNEW IT WAS YOU!!
pudieron89 - January 3, 2012
I'll keep my fingers crossed for that.
Steve Slowinski - January 3, 2012
When looking at the pen
I will exhale once Farnsworth lets it go in ST and proves that the elbow is sound.
MrNegative1 - January 3, 2012
Wouldn't Peralta be the 9th iniing guy in Farns was down?
Transplanted - January 3, 2012
most likely
didn’t mean to infer Rodney will be the guy…just that I want more depth.
MrNegative1 - January 3, 2012
Are we sure this isn't a misreport?
And Toronto signed him instead?
Transplanted - January 3, 2012
Check out the guy who sponsors his player page at Baseball Reference
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodnefe01.shtml
Moore Guerreri and Cheese - January 3, 2012
lol
benderbrodriguez - January 3, 2012
I wanna be a sponsor too
What a nice place to vent after a lost bet.
bumbry - January 4, 2012
Rodney Winter League Stats:
Here are Rodney’s winter league stats: http://www.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=l131&t=p_pbp&pid=407845
The team roster already has his MLB Parent Club as Tampa Bay: http://www.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l131&t=t_ros&cid=671
MrNegative1 - January 3, 2012
He wasn't with the Angels when you were, Maddon
And a lot of times, that’s the only way I can figure out a signing. This one, I don’t get.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
The signing is a bit strange but at this point i'll trust Friedman.
Peter Piontek - January 3, 2012
Next Up:
Chad Durbin to a minor league deal.
MrNegative1 - January 3, 2012
See, I'd sooner have signed Durbin to this deal than Rodney.
I don’t quite get the money, so I’m waiting to see the details. Rodney also gives the Rays an absurd amount of bullpen depth, so we’re gonna have to start being creative to figure out how they all fit together.
Steve Slowinski - January 3, 2012
I'd think someone is about to get dealt.
Peter Piontek - January 3, 2012
Nah, there's no need for that. The Rays love them some bullpen/pitching depth.
Steve Slowinski - January 3, 2012
Indeed. We certainly have lots of it.
Peter Piontek - January 3, 2012
Joe Maddon scoffs!
He says after the 2011 ST experience he can put any bullpen together!
MrNegative1 - January 3, 2012
I'll bet
Rodney gets a base of 750K to 1.25 million. Then incentives probably kick in. Rays probably made incentives for Games Finished or Saves knowing Rodney has about as much of a shot at earning them as Johnny Damon had at collecting on his attendance incentives.
MrNegative1 - January 4, 2012
We should've gotten a refund on the contract for failing to meet the bonuses
Transplanted - January 4, 2012
that's still 1.5 million too much
AndrewTorrez - January 4, 2012
could be
who knows. We’ll have to see how it comes out in the wash.
MrNegative1 - January 4, 2012
If this whole thing is true, we signed him a week ago
Hey, let’s just pretend we already traded for Rizzo and no one knows yet.
joeybw - January 3, 2012
Probably just delaying it but, here
joeybw - January 3, 2012
TOR is about to strike!
MakeitRayn - January 4, 2012
adding Rodney to the pen pretty much means Davis isn't going to be in the pen
which means we have to trade a starter right?
Dbullsfan - January 4, 2012
You'd think
And this supposedly happened a week ago, Bartlett deal was announced like 2 weeks before it was official. For all we know, we dealt Davis or Neimann already….
Rays sure succeed in being quiet.
joeybw - January 4, 2012
Yah, but that had basically a 99% likelihood of happening anyway.
It was an intriguing idea, but I dunno…I never thought it especially likely unless the trade market utterly collapsed. Not to mention, the Rays already have a stuffed bullpen.
Locks: Farnsworth, Peralta, Gomes, McGee
LOOGY Options: Ramos, Howell
Competing for final two spots: Badenhop, Lueke, Rodney, (DDLR), (Other minor leaguers)
Steve Slowinski - January 4, 2012
I like Howell as a loogy, Badenhop when we need a DP and I really think DDLR could be a great find.
But I guess that’s Rodney now.
joeybw - January 4, 2012
even the best teams
will go through 10-15 relievers in a season.
Have to look at who is on the big club, who has options, who is in Durham, and figure at least 12 will be in a Rays uniform at some point during the season.
MrNegative1 - January 4, 2012
I have to believe that Hopper is a lock as well
Moore Guerreri and Cheese - January 4, 2012
Hopper? Not sure I've heard that one before.
Steve Slowinski - January 4, 2012
actual Marlins nickname
AndrewTorrez - January 4, 2012
Ooooh, that's right.
One would think he’s all but a lock, yeah. So then this would essentially be Rodney entering the ‘pen over Lueke…and I think many here would be okay with not having Lueke on the major league squad. It’d be a bit weird to trade for him and then not use him right away.
Also depends on option situations, which I don’t know off the top of my head for everyone we’re talking about here.
Steve Slowinski - January 4, 2012
also Torres
AndrewTorrez - January 4, 2012
Durham. That walk rate was quite high.
But yes, there isn’t a long guy in the ’pen. I thought they could split that up between multiple guys, but Rodney would throw a kink in that.
Steve Slowinski - January 4, 2012
I just do not get Rodney
unless Farnsworth’s elbow is truly explodey and they feel like they need a nominal closer to keep the rest of the bullpen in preferred roles. Even then: bleah.
AndrewTorrez - January 4, 2012
There's no way he sniffs the closer role. Just no way.
Peralta would be a much better option.
Steve Slowinski - January 4, 2012
is there a meaningful difference between Rodney and Troy Percival?
AndrewTorrez - January 4, 2012
Rodney throws hard and doesn't grunt while doing it
That’s about all.
If Farnsworth goes down, the line to saves would be Peralta then McGee and then probably Gomes, all before Rodney.
joeybw - January 4, 2012
Well, it looks like a considerably smaller contract and only for one year.
Rodney is depth with upside…nothing more. Or at least, that’s what he should be; I’m just assuming the Rays didn’t do something ridiculous like ink him to $2m guaranteed.
I’m rather hoping this is a minor league deal with incentives.
Steve Slowinski - January 4, 2012
Maybe it has a team option
Like Farns
Transplanted - January 4, 2012
Rodney has a lower career FIP than Peralta.
rglass44 - January 4, 2012
They're the same, technically.
But Troy Percival has a better career FIP than them both, and I bet we could get him for cheaper.
Steve Slowinski - January 4, 2012
Matt Moore to Durham
Transplanted - January 4, 2012
Not now with his new contract
Due to Super Two, I would of been shocked if he made the team but now I will be shocked if they send him down. No worries on Super 2, he showed great command of all his pitches and he was flat out dominating everyone he saw besides Matt Weiters.
joeybw - January 4, 2012
Super 2 irrelevant
with the contract extension.
MrNegative1 - January 4, 2012
Exactly
He isn’t going to Durham.
joeybw - January 4, 2012
never say never
there are reasons the Rays could send him down (none that I’d agree with) but one would be controlling his workload early in 2012 and having him fresh later in the year.
MrNegative1 - January 4, 2012
would control his workload more being the #5 starter with the MLB club in April/May
AndrewTorrez - January 4, 2012
not really
the MILB season starts later and the Rays could, if they choose, have him work a couple of 4 inning starts and ease his workload up.
DISCLAIMER: NO WAY DO I BELIEVE HE IS STARTING IN DURHAM. THERE ARE ALWAYS REASONS WHY THOUGH.
MrNegative1 - January 4, 2012
A poor ST could do it
But I don’t see that happening
Transplanted - January 4, 2012
Thinking he was being sarcastic.
but who could tell. Moore is breaking camp with the rays.
Peter Piontek - January 4, 2012
Yeah I'm not being very serious
Transplanted - January 4, 2012
^would have
rglass44 - January 4, 2012
Every year we sign an old guy or 2 with bad numbers and it almost always works out.
Who sees Rodney being reliable in 2012?
joeybw - January 4, 2012
Like i said earlier. I trust AF at this point.
Peter Piontek - January 4, 2012
not me
no control even when he was good, and pedestrian K numbers the last 3 years
AndrewTorrez - January 4, 2012
From his wiki page......
Throughout the 2011 season, Rodney has been very unpopular with Angels fans, characterized by the way he wears his hat and that he has blown several leads
sinkhole - January 4, 2012
Isn't he the guy that threw a ball into the press box at the Trop?
joeybw - January 4, 2012
Yes
I think he gave us the Wild Pitch Walk-off this year too
Transplanted - January 4, 2012
That hat to the side will NOT go over well here in the land of BJ and Raheem hatred.
“Joe needs to get him in line. He looks like a daggum hoodlum with his hat to the side. When I played ball in junior high, our coach yelled at a kid until he died for that.”
Hatfield - January 4, 2012
good point
rglass44 - January 4, 2012
He has an injury past to go along with the other things wrong with him.
And that being the case, Leuke, Ramos, Torres, DDLR and maybe even Matt Bush could be the 7th man soon after all.
joeybw - January 4, 2012
If anyone is interested
in the vibe surrounding the Kyle Farnsworth story:
http://www.draysbay.com/2011/1/12/1930480/source-tampa-bay-rays-and-kyle-farnsworth-agree-on-a-one-year-deal
MrNegative1 - January 4, 2012
I remember no one liking it
I simply don’t see us talking about how shut down Rodney has been though. Farnsworth worked out, Rodney has had an even worse career with the insanely annoying control and I just don’t know if he will be another RP “fixed” by the Rays. He might be decent but he’s no back end RP like Kyle wound up being.
joeybw - January 4, 2012
LaRoche seems to think Fielder is coming to Washington a long with most people
I don’t want him but can you do the Rays a favor and trade LaRoche to the Cubs or Indians? They seem to have the same interest as us.
joeybw - January 4, 2012
I bet you would take LaRoche if he was holding down the fort for Rizzo at Durham
sinkhole - January 4, 2012
As much as I want Rizzo
That’s how little LaRoche interests me.
joeybw - January 4, 2012
If he is healthy he would out hit Damon at DH
The 8 mil he is due this year kills him for me.
sinkhole - January 4, 2012
Nats are going to have to pay at least half of that in any trade
No thanks. A Rodney signing doesn’t help my case but AF can do a lot better than LaRoche.
joeybw - January 4, 2012
So you would like Pena at around 8 per year
but wouldn’t want Laroche at half that?
sinkhole - January 4, 2012
I prefer Pena
I, unlike the Rays front office would give Rizzo a chance to break camp with the team, though.
joeybw - January 4, 2012
The deal is off, God did not permit it.
sinkhole - January 4, 2012
It's not off, it's just as offical as Rodney thought it was.
He will be signed in a day or 2. Still a lot of better options out there including Kerry Wood who the rebuilding Cubs may not bring back after all. He’s probably the best RP we could afford. We can’t afford Ryan Madson and Codero is blah.
joeybw - January 4, 2012
En Espanol por favor
You don’t understand. He is saying that he made this deal with the devil. But if he keeps working hard then God will reward him with something better.
bumbry - January 4, 2012
Whats the Post? Why is he fighting the post?
“I think there is a position, (Tampa Bay) told me that no closer (is defined),” Rodney said, via the Google translation. “We will fight the post to see who wins. I have faith in God that if you have to fight the post, I’m going to go.”
sinkhole - January 4, 2012
In Rodney language, the post would be the closers role.
joeybw - January 4, 2012
Does he know about Farnsworth killing people with his bare hands?
I would not rattle that cage.
sinkhole - January 4, 2012
Yeah, well Rodney killed Bugs Bunny
Tortured him first for the secret of the big wind-up slowball pitch.
bumbry - January 4, 2012
He's a million dollar depth guy
We have alot of flexability which is a great thing.
sinkhole - January 4, 2012
Andrew's gone crazy that's my theory
Ben Tumbling - January 4, 2012
I dont mind the deal
considering we havent over paid. Gives depth and like so many other guys who knows if we make him into a decent middle reliever?
OneTonneBaby - January 4, 2012
I hate this freakin guy. He the master of the 35 PC one inning save.
Who can forget his “save” v the Rays a few years ago while a member of the Tigers?
sternfan1 - January 4, 2012
Everyone seems to hate him, even fans of the team he pitches for
He are collecting these type of players now apparently.
Ben Tumbling - January 4, 2012
At least it will give SF1 a new player to champion
OneTonneBaby - January 4, 2012
You have it all wrong loosers
He is the new “DH”
DeadeyeRR - January 4, 2012
Can he play Catcher or SS?
If not, I’m going back to hibernation (27 degrees in Tampa?, come on!).
Rattle my cage when Andrew finishes putting the final pieces together to win the WS.
On the other hand, Rodney is a nice addition to our WWE lineup! Let Youkilis try and get away with stepping on Kotchman’s leg again!
Lastly, Youkilis is a PRICK! Yea I said it!
Duke Frost - January 4, 2012
Overall:
sub .700 OPS vs RHB in 995 PA
has been a horrible pitcher on the road for whatever reason
Features changeup so needs to stay ahead. .573 OPS with 2 strikes on batters, .979 OPS with 3 balls on batters
If you like trending stats, his OPS over last 4 years with RISP: .755, .702, .678., .599
Groundballer for double plays: has had OPS under .665 w/ men on 1st in 3 of the last 4 seasons
OPS vs GB over last 3 seasons: .496, .491 (both right at league average), .412
Low to medium leverage stuff, fine with me. Just keep him out of the 9th when the Rays have a lead
Jason Collette - January 4, 2012
love this
rglass44 - January 4, 2012
I'm somewhat surprised
Why do you love it?
Ben Tumbling - January 4, 2012
low downside, pretty good upside
he’s always had great stuff, and he’s put it together at times. i have faith the fo can turn him around and potentially flip him or use him in a dec leverage situation. his career FIP is equal to peralta’s, and we’re giving him about the same amount (Peralta got just over $2 mill.). I assume if we sign him then we trust his medicals, and we see something we think could help him. if nothing else we can artificially inflate his value through park and defense and flip for a decent prospect (matt capps for wilson ramos says hi).
rglass44 - January 4, 2012
FIP 3 years prior to signing:
Peralta: 4.67
Rodney: 4.34
Granted Peralta’s replaces last year’s low run environment with 2008 which was higher, so that offsets it somewhat. We also signed Peralta for less.
This looks like a good buy-low for a guy that may have been overworked. You can live with a guy that walks 3 or 4 per 9 if he goes back to King 8 or 9 per while getting 55% GBs (which is his 3 year average).
rglass44 - January 4, 2012
The downside
Could be that we’re paying money for a below replacement level player. The man had nearly 8 walks per 9 innings last year. If he gets back near career averages (4 BB 8 K / 9), it’s a good deal though.
Brickhaus - January 4, 2012
Yeah this is a strange signing
But if you look hard enough I guess you can see the upside.
Barnacles - January 4, 2012
Heyman says the deal is done
No terms
Jason Collette - January 4, 2012
No terms = he works for free?
Ben Tumbling - January 4, 2012
I would really love this deal if Type B FAs still existed.
rglass44 - January 4, 2012
Its 1 year/1.75 mil with a 2nd year option for 2.25 or a 250K buyout
Hence 2 million.
Rays like options more than I like making lineups.
joeybw - January 4, 2012
like the option... a lot.
rglass44 - January 4, 2012
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