The beleaguered Houston Astros bullpen has extended an invitation to Fernando Rodney, rescuing him from the independent leagues.
For many a day, I have wondered why the Fernando Rodney Experience was not playing baseball in a major league venue. He was playing baseball, in Sugar Land, Texas, but indy ball was never meant to be a long-term solution. Now it doesn’t have to be.
The arrows are being sharpened, the string on the bow tightened. A city waits. Waits for the bullpen door to swing open, allowing entrance to one of the most electrifying pitchers in the game. Waiting for the moment the first imaginary arrow is pulled from the back sack and sent skyward.
At 43 years-old, the reason Fernando Rodney went unsigned this offseason and a week into the season probably doesn’t have anything to do with his lack of pitching effectiveness recently.
Some will make the case the Houston Astros signed the former World Series champion, veteran of seventeen big league seasons, to stabilize a bullpen which currently has no less than seven rookie relievers.
I can argue that the Fernando Rodney Experience is all about entertainment value and without fans in the seats to enjoy him, half of his appeal would be lost.
Regardless of the reason, Rodney is playing with independent league players no more. He’ll report to the Astros alternative training facility before ultimately joining the big club.
Sitting 17th on the all-time saves list with 327, Rodney will most likely be used in a bridge role or mop up fashion. His days of closing out games may be over, but his days of launching arrows are not.
When Fernando Rodney takes the field in an Astros uniform it will be the twelfth team he has suited up for. He’s been an All-Star, he’s led the league in saves, and he’s finished fifth in the Cy-Young voting before. His road show will call Houston home for the time being.