Brewers acquire Francisco Rodriguez for PTBNL

[Obst]

Only bad part of the trade is the Brewers can only use him 20 times or they are stuck paying him 17.5 million.

[EmpireWF]

Only bad part of the trade is the Brewers can only use him 20 times or they are stuck paying him 17.5 million.

If they intend to use him as a closer, then yes.

Course they could work out a deal with Boras on an extension of some sort (2 years, 24-million or something along those lines).

[Obst]

If they intend to use him as a closer, then yes.

Course they could work out a deal with Boras on an extension of some sort (2 years, 24-million or something along those lines).

The clause is if he finishes the game, doesn't have to be a save opportunity, just has to get the last out of the game. Brewers better be praying they don't have to use him in that spot at all.

[EmpireWF]

The clause is if he finishes the game, doesn't have to be a save opportunity, just has to get the last out of the game. Brewers better be praying they don't have to use him in that spot at all.

When they're in the heat of the game, I doubt the manager is gonna give much thought to how many more games K-Rod has left before the option kicks in.

It will be an interesting story to follow as far as whether the organization gets involved, if they don't reach a deal with K-Rod first.

[Goober]

If they intend to use him as a closer, then yes.

Course they could work out a deal with Boras on an extension of some sort (2 years, 24-million or something along those lines).

If the Brewers end up paying K-Rod more then the 3.5 million buyout it's a bad trade. They don't need to pay for a closer when they have Axford making 500K, and performing better then K-Rod.

K-Rod's WHIP, ERA, and FIP are all higher then Axfords. They both have their shaky moments and allow more base runners then what you'd like; but Axford is performing better and cheaper. He's the teams closer.

What's interesting is K-rod didn't have to approve this trade. The Brewers aren't on his limited no-trade list. Hopefully he accepts his role and is happy to play for a contender, because he's losing money.

[NAHSTE]

Yeah $17.5 MM is a steep bill for a club like Milwaukee to be left holding, especially if they're gonna try to re-sign Prince and/or Greinke (only under team control for one more season). That's too much to pay any reliever, much less a semi-washed up one.

They obviously know about it and will do their best to avoid it, but it's easier said than done when trying to win a division.

[EmpireWF]

If the Brewers end up paying K-Rod more then the 3.5 million buyout it's a bad trade. They don't need to pay for a closer when they have Axford making 500K, and performing better then K-Rod.

K-Rod's WHIP, ERA, and FIP are all higher then Axfords. They both have their shaky moments and allow more base runners then what you'd like; but Axford is performing better and cheaper. He's the teams closer.

What's interesting is K-rod didn't have to approve this trade. The Brewers aren't on his limited no-trade list. Hopefully he accepts his role and is happy to play for a contender, because he's losing money.

Hell yeah on all points. I haven't followed Axford that closely (since he started the year blowing a save for my fantasy team) but K-Rod definitely walks more guys this year than normal. He's been effective no doubt, but it will be something to see him instantly become a set-up man and whether it effects his play.

Your last point is HUGE. It looks like K-Rod and Boras had no say in this move. If that's the case, and the Brewers do intend to use him strictly as a set-up guy to avoid having him finish games....AND they don't intend to sign him to an extension.....he's losing out on a LOT of money.

Plus, unless he looks great in relief, he's not getting nearly as much money as a free agent next year (although with a thin market, he'll probably still get a nice sized deal). But I don't see a team offering him $14 mil per year.

[Goober]

Anyway, here's the Brewers current bullpen. They've been a bit unlucky this year, both with injuries and balls finding holes (the yuni-effect).

John Axford: 2.18 FIP, 11.7 K/9
Takashi Saito: 2.71 FIP, 11.4 K/9
Francisco Rodriguez: 2.78 FIP, 10.2 K/9
LaTroy Hawkins: 2.91 FIP, 7.2 K/9
Zach Braddock: 3.37 FIP, 10.4 K/9
Kameron Loe: 3.60 FIP, 7.2 K/9
Marco Estrada: 4.41 FIP, 7.53 K/9

[Goober]

Hell yeah on all points. I haven't followed Axford that closely (since he started the year blowing a save for my fantasy team) but K-Rod definitely walks more guys this year than normal. He's been effective no doubt, but it will be something to see him instantly become a set-up man and whether it effects his play.

Your last point is HUGE. It looks like K-Rod and Boras had no say in this move. If that's the case, and the Brewers do intend to use him strictly as a set-up guy to avoid having him finish games....AND they don't intend to sign him to an extension.....he's losing out on a LOT of money.

Plus, unless he looks great in relief, he's not getting nearly as much money as a free agent next year (although with a thin market, he'll probably still get a nice sized deal). But I don't see a team offering him $14 mil per year.

I'm also interested to see if the Brewers will be ballsy enough to offer him arbitration. If he accepts they're fucked, but if the market is thin enough K-rod might risk free agency; which would land Milwaukee a few draft picks. Exactly what their farm system needs.

Edit: And another note, don't forget that the Brewer's manager Ron Roenicke and K-Rod are both from the Angel's organization. Roenicke is a player's coach, so he should already have a good relationship established with K-rod from their time together in Anaheim.

[moneyman255]

I guess Melvin talked to K-Rod after the trade was made, and he was "excited" to be a Brewer.

Here is what Melvin said:

Melvin also said he wasn’t worried about an assault charge filed late last season against Rodriguez for attacking his girl friend’s father in a family room at Citi Field. Rodriguez was suspended and fined but underwent anger management counseling and paid a fine to avoid jail time.

“I’ve talked to Frankie and he’s fine,” said Melvin. “He sounded great. He said he was ready to come to the Brewers.”


I'm guessing K-Rod understands that he wasn't going to get his option vested in New York anyways, and that a trade was likley to happen. Think about it from the Mets side. He is your closer for the whole season, and then once he reaches his point of him getting the option, you move him to the SU role. What do you think the union is going to think about that, and how does that look for future FA's etc? That's why K-Rod hired Boras, so that he can make the most money next season (a new contract etc)

The Brewers bullpen just got a LOT stronger as well, and I love this trade (as long as the Brewers didnt give up any of their top specs)

7th: Saito/Hawkins/Braddock
8th: K-Rod
9th: Axford

Then we also have Kameron Loe who is REALLY effective when he is used right. The pen is in great shape now.

Go out and get Furcal or Hardy (or any good defensive SS), and I really think the Brewers can compete with the Braves/Phillies.

More comments from Melvin:

“We’re trying to get as many quality pitchers as we can for the last 2 ½ months of the season,” said Melvin. “We’re trying to get as much quality as we can.

“This gives us another quality arm in the bullpen. I talked to John and I told him not to worry about it. I told him roles will be dictated by games and by (manager) Ron (Roenicke).

“I couldn’t walk away from the chance to get a pitcher like Francisco and wish later I hadn’t let him get away. We’ve had some injuries in our bullpen, including (setup man Takashi) Saito, and if I let (Rodriguez) get away and somebody went down, I’d kick myself.”

Melvin said he wouldn’t worry about a closer controversy perhaps disturbing the chemistry of a close clubhouse and a team that is tied for first place in the National League Central Division.

“John has done a good job for us and I still have confidence in him,” said Melvin. “I’m not going to get into (a possible controversy). This is just a chance to get a quality arm that’s not easy to get.

"It’s a matter of having two great pitchers at the back of our bullpen.”

Source: JSOnline

[Mogriffjr]

The Mets sending 5 mill over pretty much makes me believe the prospects wont be as bad as I thought...in Sandy I trust.

[Senser81]

Its odd that a steroid guru like Sandy Alderson would get rid of a steroid player like Francisco Rodriguez. But since Alderson was Bud Selig's right-hand man/henchman from 1998 - 2005 during the steroid era, it should be less of a surprise that Alderson's Mets are supplying Selig's Brewers with a top-rate reliever during a pennant race at seemingly no cost to Milwaukee.

Alderson should have his GM duties stripped for this obvious "conflict of interest" trade/heist, and Selig should be investigated by Congress for his duplicity in this matter.

[manchild24]

Axford is safe, K-Rod is taking over the set up role. The Brewers are expected to move Rodriguez and his 291 career saves into a setup role, so this doesn't really hurt John Axford's value at all. Since K-Rod's $17.5 million vesting option would kick in with 55 games finished, the Brewers have plenty of financial incentive to keep Rodriguez in the eighth inning.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

The players to be named are rumored to be trash, so this trade is a tremendous win for Milwaukee, can't be spun any other way.

Mets throwing in the towel. FIRESALE!

This time of year is great when you have a fire sale or two.

I'm surprised they got anything for K-Rod.

[manchild24]

I'm surprised they got anything for K-Rod.

despite his bullshit of punching his father in law he has been pretty solid this season 23 saves. (still glad the halos got rid of him)

Im curious to see if they move Beltran now, he said he is willing to remove the no trade clause