To date, I hear that Krod is being sought, and here is the item.
Jon Heyman reports that Francisco Rodriguez is on the Blue Jays' radar.
Heyman
adds, however, that the Jays are trying to trade for a closer first.
Rodriguez posted a strong 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 73/18 K/BB ratio in
68 innings this season for the Brewers while recording 44 saves in 49
chances. He's only 32 years old, so the asking price is probably pretty
high.
The above photo is Rollie Fingers, maybe in the discussion of most successful closer, 3 WS titles with the 70's Athletics.
Mo Rivera is of course the modern age standard for closers, and perhaps the best ever. Well he had Jeter at shortstop, so he defense behind him. Ha ha , just kidding, makes him even more valuable.
Will Jays get a someone or a committee ? I would spend to get a someone, but it ain't my money so spend some Rogers. Krod, or someone with a reputation for not blowing up.
The free agent market is pretty thin for quality closers, not to mention
the fact that you often have to overpay for pitchers with high save
totals. Francisco Rodriguez and Rafael Soriano are both still available as well as recently released Brian Wilson
who could be signed for an extremely team-friendly contract. The
options through trade are obviously endless, but acquiring a team's
closer is often a pricey endeavor.
My choice is Brian Wilson, and here is why,
The Dodgers officially cut ties on Friday with relief pitcher Brian Wilson, releasing the right-hander, a team source confirmed.
Wilson was designated for assignment on Tuesday to make room on the 40-man roster for Brandon McCarthy. The team had 10 days to try to make a deal for Wilson, or put him on waivers.
"We have had conversations with
other clubs leading up to this to see if there is interest out there,"
general manager Farhan Zaidi said on Tuesday. "We have a few days to
sort that out."
The Dodgers are on the hook for
Wilson's $10 million salary in 2015, the result of his exercise of a
player option for 2015. The right-hander parlayed 19⅔ great innings in
2013 (including playoffs) coming off Tommy John surgery into a one-year
deal plus an option that will ultimately pay Wilson $20 million.
Wilson put up a 4.66 ERA and 4.29 FIP in 61 games, with 54 strikeouts and 29 walks in 48⅓ innings.
Should Wilson sign elsewhere in
2015, the Dodgers' financial obligation would be reduced. In other
words, look for some other team to pay Wilson no more than the major league minimum of $507,500 in base salary.
Alex would be glad to pay the Beard $ 507,500 and lett he Dodgers pay the balance and let Wilson try to rebound. Reduce the walks Brian, and watch the ERA plummet.
I would say, give it a shot, why not. What can you lose. If someone emerges as a better closer, gteat, sign him for 2 years, the second year being a club option.
There you go Alex, problem solved. Next blog I will hope to make sense of second base.
