Article: Report From The Fort: Fernando Rodney Relishes Your Pain

[John Bonnes]

FT. MYERS - You’re going to hate Fernando Rodney. You might also love him, but you are definitely going to hate him. He is going to drive you crazy. And he is OK with that.

 

In Seattle they dubbed his appearances “The Fernando Rodney Experience.” It wasn’t that he wasn’t effective; in 2014 he saved 48 games for the Mariners versus just three blown saves. It was how he saved them.His saves were painful to watch. Men on base. Full counts. Long innings. Times when you’re sure he will never throw another strike. And then, somehow, victory, redemption, and 300 career saves. Which is great for him and for the team and the fans, provided your heart clung to life through the final out.

 

It might help to know that Rodney wants all of this. He wants the drama. He might even need the drama.

 

“I am very focused when the game is on the line,” he explains. “I like to live the moment. When the game is on the line, I feel like I’m more controlled. And I feel like I can control the game and that’s the place I like.” That control is also achieved by the agonizing pace he has on the mound. “I take my time. Every time, take my time,” says Rodney.

 

We talked about how his mindset is similar to something that many fans have experienced: speaking in public. The speaker might find themselves rushing through their story and need to consciously tell himself or herself to slow down, to make the dramatic pause. “Exactly,” agrees Rodney. “That is exactly what I’m looking for. When I get there, I try to convince myself to move in slow motion and do (dramatic pause) the job (dramatic pause) slow.”

 

Minnesota fans can take some solace in the same thing we seemingly always take solace in – other fans’ pain. Because if you think it’s painful to watch Rodney deliver a victory at home, imagine watching him wriggle out of a jam against your team on the road. Rodney seems to relish that, and the snail’s pace makes it all the more delicious.

 

“I try to slow down. I feel like when you try to slow down, you control most of the things that happen in the game. Especially with the fans,” he says as he grins. “When you go to different cities, different towns, they try to yell at you. They say a lot of things to you. Well, that’s what I want to hear. That’s why I’m here.”

 

So remember: it isn’t that Rodney necessarily wants you to suffer – it just might be what the Fernando Rodney Experience is. Fortunately Minnesota Twins fans might have a built-in advantage. Most of us are also Vikings fans, so how bad can the pain be, really?

 

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[dgwills]

This was a bad player to sign. Just getting by most of his career and getting old. Hopefully the leash is not to long.

[yarnivek1972]

I remember Phillies manager Jim Fregosi saying about erratic closer Mitch Williams: “He doesn’t have ulcers, but he is a carrier.”

[Tommygun921]

I remember Nathan taking a lot of deep breaths out there on the mound on many occasions. But he (almost) always got the job done.

[Doctor Wu]

Well, having Rodney on the mound certainly promises to be ... entertaining. Maybe seeing him try to close the games may also be gut-wrenching and infuriating, but at this point I plan to just buckle up and try to enjoy the ride!

[mikelink45]

It seems as if Rodney lives on the edge and the question that comes to mind is his age and what impact that will have on the edge.  A small change can be a catastrophe.   I hope they are watching closely.

[gil4]

 

Most of us are also Vikings fans, so how bad can the pain be, really?

Makes me question whether or not you're a Vikings fan.

[gil4]

 

This was a bad player to sign. Just getting by most of his career and getting old. Hopefully the leash is not to long.

I agree with everything except one word - "getting." The guy is just old, no getting about it. I am not looking forward to the experience - I haven't even strapped in yet and I'm already ready to get off the roller coaster.

 

[TFRazor]

 

This was a bad player to sign. Just getting by most of his career and getting old. Hopefully the leash is not to long.

 

If saving over 300 games in a career is "just getting by", then I know a boatload of mediocre pitchers that would love to sign up for that.

[adorduan]

Hopefully they have a short leash on him, and if he sucks they move Reed into the closer role.

[ahart10]

If Kintzler can close effectively and keep us in the hunt, Rodney should do just fine. Twins have an upgraded bullpen backing him. Let’s see those arrows fly!

[Blake]

Should be entertaining, at the very least.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

Hopefully they have a short leash on him, and if he sucks they move Reed into the closer role.

Which Reed?

[Twins33]

If Kintzler can close effectively and keep us in the hunt, Rodney should do just fine. Twins have an upgraded bullpen backing him. Let’s see those arrows fly!

Mostly agree, but my biggest worry with Rodney is and always has been the amount of walks he gives up. Kintzler didn't do that.

 

I loved watching Rodney blow it or nearly blow it in a lot of outings. He walks that line in the majority of his outings. Now I have to worry he'll do it on our team.

[John Kelsey]

Reed will be the closer by June or July. 

[ashbury]

There are pitchers who have more pitches per plate appearance, and seem to do just fine. Corey Knebel of the Brewers threw 4.40, whereas Rodney threw 4.22 and the league average there was 3.80 - but his ERA was 1.78 and his WHIP and BABIP and so forth were decent looking despite a lot of walks.

 

I don't especially care for the kind of pitcher who just kind of slops it up there and hopes to get batters to swing because of a funky motion (my impression of Rodney over the years, though I don't know anything about Knebel), but maybe I will grow to like Rodney.

[Circus Boy]

 

Which Reed?

Rick.

[h2oface]

His time has passed, and the luck run out, is my bet. Not a fan. Never a fan. Will not be a fan of Rodney. It amazes me the the pitching metrics guys in the FO went for him.

 

No top closer, no ace starter. Hmmmmmm. Here comes 2018..... 

[DocBauer]

Wait. Hold on for a second here. We don't know how this is going to turn out, but can we cool the jets for a second?!

 

Kintzler was a "meh" signing to about 90+% of us and then proved to be solid in his role. Belisle's signing was met with more apathy than mere "meh" attitude, especially after a couple of early rough outings that spiked his numbers. You can argue the true role of a closer, changing of dynamics of MLB, coaching, or simple luck of the draw but Kintzler actually turned out to be a very solid closer. He even drew comparisons to former Twin great, and current bullpen coach, Eddie Guardado, as a less than stellar arm but quality closer. And when Kintzler was traded, there was much consternation. But Belisle, next arm up, even in SSS, proved worthy of assuming the role of closer.

 

So now the Twins bring in a veteran closer with over 300 saves in his career, who still wings a mid 90's FB, with multiple All Star appearances, ( for what that's worth), and a K/9 over 9 for his career, 10+ for 4 straight years, and 5 out of 6, a career AVG against of .231, on a 1 year deal and some think this is a bad signing?

 

Results, not Tums. The all time closer is Mariano Rivera who converted 89% of save opportunities.

 

Let us look at all time Twins saves statistics and conversion %:

 

Nathan, 260SV 89%

Aguilera, 254SV 81%

Perkins, 120SV 85%

Guardado, 116SV 81%

 

Recently, as Twins:

 

Kintzler, 45SV 87% but 74% career

Belisle, 9SV 69% but 30% career

 

So on the edge of seats at times or not, Rodney brings it, has an 82% save ratio for his career and an 87% conversion ratio for the past 4 season's with his impressive K rate and is a poor signing on a 1 year deal for what reason?

[h2oface]

For numerous reasons, I have never liked Rodney. Just because I now have to see him way more than I want to now, doesn't mean I have to start liking him.

Edited March 10, 2018 by h2oface

[ashbury]

For numerous reasons, I have never liked Rodney. Just because I now have to see him way more than I want to now, doesn't mean I have to start liking him.

I could look, but I doubt I'll find any post that demands you like him.

 

Still, I'll offer a point that I don't think was brought up recently, that his recent manager had rave reviews about Rodney's work ethic - tremendous was the word he used, I think. That, plus my understanding better about the silly hat thing, has me approaching the season with an open mind. I'm still not sure I'll be able to sit through many of his innings, though.

[snepp]

 

That, plus my understanding better about the silly hat thing, has me approaching the season with an open mind.

 

Saw Rodney at Twinsfest doing pictures in the clubhouse, crooked hat and all, seemed to be enjoying himself.

[glunn]

 

Saw Rodney at Twinsfest doing pictures in the clubhouse, crooked hat and all, seemed to be enjoying himself.

That makes me like him, and I will like him more if he saves lots of games.

[RaoulDuke]

Closer is over rated as a role, fireman has proven to be much more valuable.  Rodney has the track record and makeup to hold the closer spot down for a year.  I am much more excited to have Reed + Hildy/ Duke on board to handle getting to Rodney. 

 

He is obviously a stop gap for a year, who is the next closer?  I had thought it would be Chargois or maybe Burdi but those ships have sailed. Reed? FA? Jay?

[Doomtints]

The Twins have a backup plan, so I'm not worried about how Rodney performs. I'm leaning to the side that he will be a plus to the team overall. but perhaps not with his arm. We'll find out.