Detroit Tigers acquire Francisco Rodriguez from Milwaukee Brewers
By Tim Haberin
The Detroit Tigers have acquired relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez from the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade. Detroit will send minor league infielder Javier Betancourt to Milwaukee in the deal, and the teams will also swap players to be named later.
Bullpen help was high on the Tigers’ list of priorities this offseason, and “K-Rod” provides them with a proven closer to pencil into ninth-inning opportunities. Detroit’s bullpen was among the game’s worst in 2015; Tigers relievers posted a 4.38 ERA, placing them 27th in the league.
Detroit began the most recent campaign with Joakim Soria in the closer’s role, but he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to the July trade deadline.
Rodriguez seems like he’s been around forever, but he’ll be turning 34 next year in time for his 15th season in the major leagues. Since making his debut with the Angels in 2002 at the age of 20, K-Rod has developed into one of the most accomplished relievers in the game. His 386 career saves make him the active leader.
The right-hander’s most successful run as a closer came between the 2005 and 2008 seasons, when he saved 194 total games for the Halos. That’s an average of 48 saves per year and includes a staggering career-high of 62 (an all-time single-season record) in 2008.
Rodriguez went on to stints with the Mets, Brewers and Orioles before making his way back to Milwaukee in 2014 as a free agent. He has bounced between setup and closer roles the past several years, but he’s enjoyed good results the last two seasons as the Brewers’ primary finisher.
Over his most recent two campaigns, K-Rod sports a 2.66 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 4.66 K/BB in 125 total innings. He racked up 44 saves in 2014 and 38 this year.
If Rodriguez can keep up that type of performance, he should offer a significant boost to a Detroit Tigers bullpen that has struggled to pin down a closer of late. He is due to make $5.5 million next season and also has a $6 million team option for 2017 with a $4 million buyout.
Continuing their rebuild, the Brewers will take on 20-year-old Javier Betancourt, who played 122 games for Advanced-A Lakeland this year. He slashed .263/.304/.336 with three home runs and 48 RBI.