Rays Complete Bullpen, Sign Rodney

According to MLB Trade Rumors and Marc Topkin the Rays are close to a deal with reliever Fernando Rodney. Topkin tweeted that the deal is not complete yet, but should be official in the next day or two. Rodney will probably finish up the 2012 bullpen for the Rays, after they also acquired Burke Badenhop and Josh Lueke this offseason to go in the bullpen. Along with Brandon Gomes, Kyle Farnsworth, Joel Peralta, Jake McGee and Cesar Ramos the Rays now have a pretty formidable bullpen heading into 2012.

Rodney will most likely be a late-game guy and could compete with Kyle Farnsworth for the closer role. With Farnsworth, Rodney, and Peralta for late-game duty, the Rays bullpen should be able to shut the door for the rotation. Rodney struggled a bit in his 2 year deal with the Angels after they signed him to be their closer. In 2010 he only collected 14 saves, as he was removed after struggling. Last year he only pitched in 32 games, collecting a 4.50 ERA. His ERA has been historically not good, but he did have a successful year as the Tigers closer in 2009, collecting 37 saves with a 4.40 ERA.

The signing of Rodney will be a good one if he can fit into the back of the bullpen and give the Rays another good reliever. Rodney will be another veteran presence for the young Rays pitching staff. I like this move, and it was a cheap one at just over $2 million for one year.