Doesn’t the thought of K-Rod bring back such warm memories? Maybe it’s the 2 walk off grand slams he gave up in 2009, the first pitcher in 15 years to do that in one season. Perhaps it was the manly confrontation with Brian Bruney after the pitcher called his antics “unbelievable” and a “tired act.” No? How about the time he assaulted his girlfriend’s father after a game because of supposed disparaging remarks made about Francisco’s mother? Ahh, there’s that warm, ooey-gooey feeling.
I bring this up because several outlets have reported that the Mets are expressing interest in acquiring K-Rod for the stretch run. Huh? Sounds crazy right? Well maybe it’s so crazy, it’s pure genius. Let’s break it down.
So far this season, in 36 innings, Rodriguez has accumulated a 4.00 ERA, 32 K’s, a 1.47 WHIP, and a FIP of 3.97. Those numbers are less than impressive. His strikeout rate is the lowest of his career, his WHIP is the highest, and his FIP is just below his career worst achieved in 2009 with the Mets.(Quick tangent: Rodriguez’s HR/FB rate is 13.3% which is the highest he has had in 7 years. So some of his struggles can be attributed to bad luck) So why would the Mets want to bring him in?
Well there are a few different reasons. Rodriguez has made it clear that he doesn’t enjoy the set-up role, and when Rodriguez is less than happy he lets everyone know, especially through his performances. If the Mets were to make this trade, he would most certainly be inserted as the full time closer, even with the return of Frank Francisco. This return to his comfort zone would certainly be a boon to his confidence and allow him to resume his colorful antics which annoyed Brian Bruney so much. It also would be a chance to prove to the many GM’s who ignored him last winter that he is still a capable closer. Remember, K-Rod only resigned with the Brewers because he had literally no other options.
Another reason is Rodriguez will come cheap. The Brewers are 37-42, 7 games out of first, and slowly accepting that this season is going nowhere fast. Rodriguez is on a 1 year deal with roughly 4 million left at this point. The chances of resigning him are virtually nil. They have absolutely no reason to keep him. Sandy Alderson could probably offer the Brewers the remains of Mo Vaughn and some fancy new Sausage costumes and the Brewers would consider it. Anytime, as a GM, you can acquire a All-Star caliber reliever for virtually nothing, you have to consider it.
Lastly, Rodriguez is only a half a season removed from some excellent numbers. In 2011, with the Mets and Brewers, Rodriguez threw 71.2 innings, racked up a 2.64 ERA, 79 K’s, a 2.72 FIP, and pitched well in his 5 appearances in the postseason, allowing only a run. He may not be the elite pitcher he was in his early years with the Angels but, in his current incarnation, he is better than every other pitcher in the Mets bullpen.
So yeah Frankie has some baggage. Yes, he can be a little full of himself. But for a half season rental, in a bullpen in need of a cheap back-end addition? You can’t really do much better. Plus, how much fun will it be to brainstorm nicknames for the Frank Francisco/Francisco Rodriguez combo? How about the Cisco kids? Please Sandy Alderson, make my day.
