Quote: David Waldtstein on K-Rod’s $17.5 Option
“For now the Mets are operating as if Francisco Rodriguez will be the 2011 closer, so the challenge may be to find a way to get the most out of him for the $11.5 million he will be owed next season. But of course, the better Rodriguez does, the more he will be used, and the more he is used, the more likely he will be line to get his $17.5 million in 2012… To do so, Rodriguez needs to finish 55 games in 2011, whether or not he gets a save. In five of his previous six seasons, Rodriguez has hit that 55 figure; the only time he didn’t was this season.”
~ David Waldstein, New York Times
He has NO trade value right now. None. Frankie has not pitched since mid-August, after injuring his thumb, after punching his girlfriend’s dad, in the ballpark, which forced him to have thumb surgery, while still having that ridiculous contract. If you don’t want him on the Mets, just imagine what other teams are thinking? However, once he starts pitching in Winter Ball, then pitches in Spring Training, it wouldn’t surprise me to see other teams perk up with interest, assuming the Mets can do something about that $17.5 million option. It’s not going to be easy. In either case, it’s hard to imagine him not being at St. Lucie next Spring, at least for a little while.
In a post to the Real Dirty Mets Blog, Kingman says, “The cold, hard fact is that the Mets and KRod clearly need each other.”
Yes, there will be some fans, executives and players who will continue to dislike Rodriguez on principle. However, I wonder how he’ll be viewed if he’s here next season, dominating, and leading a powerful bullpen along with Bobby Parnell, Hisanori Takahashi and others. Let’s not forget, he locked down 25 of 30 saves last season with 67 strike outs in 57 innings and a 2.20 ERA. What’s more, how will people feel about him if the Mets are also winning?
