Fansided

Free agent relief pitcher Fernando Rodney drawing interest from Seattle Mariners

By Brad Rowland

Oct 7, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox in game three of the American League divisional series at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox in game three of the American League divisional series at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 7, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox in game three of the American League divisional series at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox in game three of the American League divisional series at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

After a historically incredible 2012 season with the Tampa Bay Rays, reliever Fernando Rodney had trouble repeating that explosive success in 2013. However, he was still significantly better than league-average, and with that, he is now drawing reported interest on the free agent market.

Jon Morosi of Fox Sports is reporting interest from the Seattle Mariners in Rodney’s services, as they continue their spending following the signing of Robinson Cano. Seattle is in need of an option at closer, and Rodney has amassed 85 saves over the past two seasons.

It is fairly clear (at least to me) that Rodney’s 2013 campaign (3.38 ERA, 11.07 K/9, 4.86 BB/9, 1.3 fWAR) is closer to his “real” ability than the historic 2012 season (0.60 ERA, 9.16 K/9, 1.81 BB/9, 2.3 fWAR) was, but even if he’s “just” this guy, he’s an above-average reliever. The trouble for Seattle, though, is that he surely demanding a king’s ransom to become their full-time closer.

If the Mariners (who suddenly have buckets of available funds) can get Rodney for even a semi-reasonable price, I would like the move on their end, but if they have to overpay too badly, they should remember one thing.

It’s Fernando Rodney we’re talking about.

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