Where Can the Brewers Dump K-Rod This Offseason?
It's no secret the Milwaukee Brewers are in full "go young" mode as they look to build a sustainable, successful franchise through youthful, controllable talent. That's not to say the club will be void of all veterans, but a pricey, still-effective closer like Francisco Rodriguez should be moved....
...if any team will bite.
Milwaukee would be best served by getting guys like Jeremy Jeffress, Will Smith, Tyler Thornburg and Michael Blazek time in the closer's role as we all try to figure out the plan over the next 3-5 years. With Rodriguez in tow, it'd be a challenge to do that without disrupting attitudes and chemistry in the pen.
Now who needs the veteran arm in the back end of the bullpen? Despite K-Rod's litany of accomplishments, he hasn't drawn much interest in his last few forays into free agency. In the end, he always came back to Milwaukee - thanks to both money and opportunity.
Last February, the Brewers finally broke down and gave him a 2-year contract worth $13 million guaranteed. K-Rod will make $7.5 million in 2016 with a $6 million club option for 2017, though Milwaukee (or any other team) could buy out the last year for $2 million.
I'll admit, K-Rod's continued efficiency the past couple of years in Milwaukee has proven me wrong. He looked to be on his last legs and scared me every time he took the mound, and yet he continued to get the job done.
Last year, K-Rod boasted a 2.21 ERA with 38 saves, a 0.860 WHIP and a 5.64 strikeout-to-walk ratio (K/BB), the best mark of his career.
Since 2014, he is 4th in MLB with 82 saves and in the top 30 in strikeout-to-walk ratio among all pitchers (minimum 120 IP).
K-Rod's biggest issue has been allowing the home run, which when you're trying to conserve a one or two-run lead, can be problematic. That could be a big reason teams have shied away, but I don't know that it's enough of a negative.
Nobody has ever really figured out exactly why Rodriguez continued to be ignored like the plague as a free agent, though various theories have been thrown out there:
His age...though he's actually only 33. It's more of a perceptual thing since he's been in the big leagues full time since 2003 when he was a 21-year-old kid. Perhaps it's the innings that scare teams away?
Loss of stuff...a fair assessment of a dip in his fastball velocity the last few years, his changeup remains deadly. He's also developed better command with his big curveball to keep hitters off-balance.
Price tag...as many teams aren't willing to pay much for a one-inning guy. Plus, K-Rod was usually looking for a multi-year deal. He signed a pair of one-year deals and a minor league contract before finally getting that two-year offer from the Brewers.
Domestic violence history...which some may see as a stretch, but it could be a valid concern to a number of franchises. He was charged in 2010 with assault and harassment for striking his father-in-law. He was then charged with disorderly conduct-domestic abuse in 2012 for hitting his finance.
No matter the reasoning for the lukewarm interest at best, it would only take one club's curiosity for the Brewers to unload the cash he's owed. The Brewers can play it one of two ways: Pay most of the contract and get a decent prospect back or pay very little (if any) and get a longshot prospect back.
It's always difficult to know what each team is doing that could lead to a trade, but he was claimed by a team during last year's waiver period before the Brewers pulled him back. Still, I see a few teams that could entertain the possibility.
Houston Astros
Over the past two years, Houston has the 4th-most blown saves and their bullpen let them down in ALDS against the Kansas City Royals. They relied on Luke Gregerson who did an admirable job in his first full season as a closer in the majors, finishing with 31 saves.
However, Chad Qualls was initially the closer and failed, so Houston could very well be interested in having multiple options. A guy like K-Rod is a perfect fit because of his success as a set-up man and closer in his career, on top of adding quality postseason experience to a younger roster.
There were rumors linking Houston to K-Rod last season as well, and with GM David Stearns a former Astros' executive, plus a mutually-beneficial trade completed between the clubs in 2014, there are plenty of connections to make Houston a real possibility.
Toronto Blue Jays
They were also mentioned in K-Rod rumors at the deadline last year, and they were pleased at the trade with Milwaukee that netted them Marco Estrada. So again, multiple connections, and their relief corps also had some big hiccups in the postseason.
They had to be happy with 20-year-old Roberto Osuna's performance once he took over as the closer in June, but at this point, it's tough to see the Jays keeping Osuna in that role. There are many moving parts in regards to the Jays' offseason, most of which center around the starting rotation.
Toronto will need to figure out what they're capable of doing with the starters first, and much will be dictated on if they can re-sign David Price (unlikely) and if Estrada signs the one-year qualifying offer of $15.8 million (likely).
If Price departs, Toronto needs to determine if they're going to be better off moving Osuna back into a starting role, which was his primary spot in the minors. If they keep him in the pen - or even give him starts in the minors - Rodriguez would still be a viable option as a veteran fallback option.
Seattle Mariners
This might seem like a bit of an odd one, but Seattle has to be feeling the crush of expectations and a realization they can't waste the talents of Felix Hernandez for much longer. With veterans Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano also in the fold, it's still a win-now situation in the great Northwest.
The Mariners saw three different hurlers tally at least 13 saves, including the ever-inconsistent Fernando Rodney who was traded to the Chicago Cubs at the end of August.
Seattle has some quality arms in the bullpen, but as many of you know, relief pitchers are widely sporadic and having multiple, proven options to finish games - especially in pressurized September and October matchups - is a valuable commodity.
Minnesota Twins
Some may think this is a bigger stretch than Seattle as the Twins don't seem to fit the profile...or do they? Manager Paul Molitor has stud lefty Glen Perkins to close out games, but when he missed time with an injury last year, Minnesota had all sorts of issues late in contests.
With some high quality young talent, a slew of serviceable veteran starters, and a potential window in the AL Central (even Kansas City may fall a bit), they might see some value in, basically, a one-year deal. Additionally, the Twins were looking at Brewers' relievers last season before settling on Neal Cotts.
They also showed a willingness to spend some money recently by winning the bidding rights to negotiate with slugging Korean first baseman, Byung Ho Park. It could be a sign they'd like to take another step up in 2016 and push for the playoffs now.
Other Possibilities:
Miami Marlins - Heavily in play for K-Rod last February, new manager Don Mattingly may be interested in winning now, which could push a deal through. With Jose Fernandez leading a solid core of starters, they might want a veteran there to shut the door if they don't see A.J. Ramos staying in that role.
Detroit Tigers - Another team linked to Rodriguez in the recent past, they've long struggled with their bullpen makeup and ability to close games. This would only be applicable if Detroit decides they want to spend money elsewhere to compete...which is always possible.
San Francisco Giants - Next year is an even year, so that means the Giants are legitimate World Series contenders. They watched Santiago Casilla save 38 games last season, but he's actually a year older than K-Rod. I'd say this is least likely, but San Fran is always adding aging vets and making it work.
Chances are good that K-Rod is still with the Brewers on Opening Day, but if he continues to thrive in the 9th inning, he'll become a hot topic again for contending clubs at the trade deadline.
But let's hold out hope that Stearns can find a team to take him over the winter, and get his contract off the books so the Brewers can continue the youth movement to its maximum capacity.