According to Marc Topkin -- and yes, a Google translation that might or might not be smarter than the average Rosetta Stone disc -- the only thing standing between free agent Fernando Rodney and a seven-figure contract with the Tampa Bay Rays is a physical examination. Which figures to be routine, since Rodney’s been pitching effectively in the Dominican Winter League. Topkin:
Report: Rays Close To Signing Reliever Fernando Rodney
According to an AP report from the Dominican Republic, erstwhile closer and current free agent Fernando Rodney is on the verge of signing a one-year deal to pitch for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Rodney, who turns 35 in March, told an Associated Press reporter in the Dominican Republic last week he has agreed to a one-year contract with the Rays for slightly more than $2 million.
--snip--
Rodney spoke to the AP reporter as if the deal was complete. "It's confirmed, (it) will be published in January if God permits," he said, based on a Google translation of his quotes. "I signed for one year with Tampa Bay to keep working hard and see if God gives me something better."
There’s a more entertaining quote in your near future (foreshadowing), but first let’s wonder exactly what the Rays think they’re going to get for their slightly more than $2 million (heightening anticipation, but totally worth the wait).
Fernando Rodney, it must be said, hasn't been a particularly good pitcher in quite some time. Over the last four seasons, his ERA was 4.46; his lowest ERA during that span was 4.24. Over the last four seasons, his strikeout-to-walk ratio was 1.41, and he survived mostly because he's been pretty good at keeping the baseballs inside the baseball stadiums. Just a few more big flies and those ERA's could have gotten really ugly.
Basically, Rodney’s just been walking too many dang guys: 5.6 per nine innings since the beginning of 2008. Rodney throws as hard as ever, routinely hitting the middle 90s with his fastball. He’s just not hitting his spots as often as he used to. And there’s no obvious reason to think he’s going to.
Which doesn’t mean he’s a terrible risk. He could be worth close to $2 million, and it’s possible that “slightly more than $2 million”, before getting Google-translated, was $1 million, but another $600,000 if I finish 60 games and another $600,000 on top of that if Fernando Rodney Bobblehead Fiesta is super-duper successful.”
Because, you know, “slightly more than $2 million” seems like a lot for a guy who’s been worth slightly less than $4 million over the last four seasons. Not average. Total.
What role might Fernando Rodney play for the defending Wild Card champeens?
“I think there is a position, (Tampa Bay) told me that no closer (is defined),” Rodney said, via the Google translation. “We will fight the post to see who wins. I have faith in God that if you have to fight the post, I’m going to go.”
Those italics were added by the Rob translation, because the Rob translation thinks fight the post is a really cool phrase, even though the Rob translation isn’t really sure what in Tar Nation it means.
Can you help? This is actually why comments sections were invented.*
* I read that in a book.
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