Francisco Rodriguez traded to Detroit

[Otto von Ballpark]

Interesting to see Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez traded to Detroit:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/tigers-to-acquire-francisco-rodriguez.html

 

Suggests Milwaukee is moving further toward a rebuild, and that Detroit perhaps isn't?

 

A modest cost in trade (A-ball 2B, most recently graded C+ by Sickels), a modest contract with two years of control remaining -- should the Twins have been in on this?  Rodriguez has been pretty darn good the past few years, a few times even in setup roles, and apparently happy playing in the midwest.  He could have closed or setup Perkins, or alternated based on match ups.

 

Crazy to think K-Rod is only a year older than Perkins too!  And only 2 years older than Jepsen.  He's really been around forever.

[gunnarthor]

The trade price is about right - he's number 11 on mlbpipeline's list of prospects, C+, as you say, by Sickels.  Maybe a similar trade would have been Jermaine Palacios for us.

 

I think that's a trade we probably should have done.  Seems like a good get for Detroit.  His contract is reasonable.

[tobi0040]

 

Interesting to see Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez traded to Detroit:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/tigers-to-acquire-francisco-rodriguez.html

 

Suggests Milwaukee is moving further toward a rebuild, and that Detroit perhaps isn't?

 

A modest cost in trade (A-ball 2B, most recently graded C+ by Sickels), a modest contract with two years of control remaining -- should the Twins have been in on this?  Rodriguez has been pretty darn good the past few years, a few times even in setup roles, and apparently happy playing in the midwest.  He could have closed or setup Perkins, or alternated based on match ups.

 

Crazy to think K-Rod is only a year older than Perkins too!  And only 2 years older than Jepsen.  He's really been around forever.

 

You have to ask if he would be a good addition and gauge the cost versus free agents on the market.

 

I don't know that we can get a reliever with set up and closing experience, a 2.21 career ERA with his recent track record for 1-5.5M and a $6M option.  We have plenty of C+ prospects to dangle.  He has k'd about 10 per 9 the last several years.

 

I think we missed out on this one.

 

Agreed on age.  He was 20 in 2002 when he went nuts in the playoffs (4.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 7 K against the Twins).  That is was his first rodeo, only pitched in 5.2 innings in the regular season that year.

 

 

[Rosterman]

Still see Perkins as the closer, and ncie to know the Twins do have someone is reserve. If Perkins was reduced to setup man status, I woul;d have done this trade in a heartbeat. It would be a ncie one year bridge and definitely make the bullpen stronger in 2016, for a decent prospect sendoff to Milwaukee.

 

[Cap'n Piranha]

I'd be fine with it, but he's not the K-Rod of old.  His BABIP was the 11th lowest of all relievers last year, his strand rate was 21st highest, and he ranked 49th (out of 137) in k/9, 36th in FIP, and 38th in WAR.  Solid reliever, but given that he'll be 34 before the next season starts, I'd rather see if one of Burdi, Reed, Jones, Meyer, et al can take the step forward, since we have Perkins, Jepsen, and in all likelihood May, to lock down the 7-9.

[nicksaviking]

His 89 MPH fastball scares me, but he's still getting strikeouts.

 

I would have been OK with this as the prospect price would have been light.  I'm guessing the 11M would have stopped the Twins, the most they've ever paid a reliever was 11.25M for Joe Nathan and K-Rod likely wouldn't be closing for the Twins. Initially.

[Willihammer]

Yawn. Glad we passed.

 

Get the Stone Fastball.

[tobi0040]

The guy is still striking out almost 10 guys per nine.  Not too concerned about velocity. Especially on a 1 + 1 deal.  But his average heater was 89.7 last year and his movement is holding up the last few years.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/pitchfx.aspx?playerid=1642&position=P&pitch=FA

[Kwak]

 

His 89 MPH fastball scares me, but he's still getting strikeouts.

 

I would have been OK with this as the prospect price would have been light.  I'm guessing the 11M would have stopped the Twins, the most they've ever paid a reliever was 11.25M for Joe Nathan and K-Rod likely wouldn't be closing for the Twins. Initially.

...$11MM...yeah, the Twins swim in those waters.

[USAFChief]

According to BBRef, FRod is owed $5.5m in 2016, with a $6m option in 2017. That 2017 option has a $4m buyout ($2m per MLBTRADERUMORS.)

 

So he has either $7.5m or $9.5m guaranteed, $11.5m total if you wanted the second year.

 

Not cheap, but not terribly expensive. I'd probably pass, with the assumption other moves will be made to strengthen the pen.

[Thrylos]

 

Not cheap, but not terribly expensive. I'd probably pass, with the assumption other moves will be made to strengthen the pen.

 

Agreed, given that they are better than Rodriguez.   Because someone might thing that re-signing Cotts and his 5.99 FIP might be "strengthening the pen"...  This pen needs a couple of high K% late inning arms, preferably one from each side.   They may have to trade for those.

[DaveW]

K-Rod would have been a no brainer.  I would be shocked if the Twins bring in an arm of his equal or better.