2012 MLB Free Agents: Rays Sign Fernando Rodney
The Tampa Bay Rays reached an agreement with right-handed reliever Fernando Rodney yesterday. The contract pays Rodney $1.75 million next season and includes an option for 2013 worth $2.5 million with a $250,000 buyout.
The Rays added another late-inning arm to their arsenal of relievers, bringing Rodney in to join Kyle Farnsworth and Joel Peralta.
Following the agreement, Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told reporters that Rodney’s “pure stuff is top-notch and can beat hitters both in and out of the strike zone”.
Rodney has spent the past two seasons pitching for the Angels. During his time in LA, Rodney maintained an ERA and WHIP of 4.32 and 1.590 while compiling 17 saves. Rodney struggled with his command while with the Angels (5.7 BB/9) and watched his strikeout numbers dip (7.1 SO/9).
But the 34-year-old has been able to strikeout hitters at an above average rate throughout his career (8.2 SO/9). Over his nine seasons in the majors, Rodney has held an ERA of 4.29 to go with his WHIP of 1.463.
One of Rodney’s better seasons came in 2009 as a member of the Detroit Tigers. During the year Rodney appeared in 73 games spanning 75 2/3 innings while registering 37 saves for Detroit.
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