Twins Sign Fernando Rodney: Fantasy Impact

The Twins needed help in the bullpen this season. They decided to sign veteran closer Fernando Rodney. How will he do in the American League Central?

The Minnesota Twins have been pretty active this offseason. They’ve added two pitchers to their starting rotation and another bat to the lineup. Things got more interesting as they signed veteran closer Fernando Rodney to a one-year deal. With a vacancy in the closer position, can Rodney still be fantasy relevant?

Any fantasy owner that drafted Rodney over the course of his career is aware of the “Rodney Experience.” For those that were lucky enough to not go through it, let me explain.

Rodney would step on the mound in the ninth inning for whatever team he was pitching for. The bases would be empty, his team would be up by one or two runs, so clearly, a save situation. Then, Rodney would walk a batter, allow a hit and give up a run. His pitch count would be through the roof and he would still pitch. Yet, somehow Rodney would be awarded the save.

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Fantasy owners were able to exhale knowing they got a save from that outing but Rodney did some damage to the owner’s ERA and WHIP for the week. This has been a formula going on since 2009.

Rodney has accumulated 300 saves in his 15-year career with a 3.73 ERA, 1.352 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9. He recorded two 48-save seasons in 2012 and 2014. Just last year, Rodney recorded 39 saves with a 4.23 ERA and 1.193 WHIP with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Rodney had a 217.6 ADP, 22nd round in standard leagues, and finished as the 16th reliever on the ESPN Player Rater. His ranking was heavily weighed by his saves. His ratio stats brought him down a few spots.

The Twins had underrated closer Brandon Kintzler for the first half of the season before he was traded to the Washington Nationals. Minnesota had an opening in the ninth-inning job and relief pitchers were getting signed left and right.

Not to be left in the dark, the Twins decided to roll with Rodney. He played seven seasons in American League Central, but not since 2009. Things have changed a lot since then and the team hierarchy isn’t what it used to be.

Rodney relies on ground balls to get most of his outs. As a result, there are a lot of balls that get through for hits. He has a career 50.6 ground ball rate compared to a 29.8 fly ball rate and 9.2 HR/FB rate. Over 15 years, I don’t think that will change in 2018.

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Twins beat reporter Rhett Bollinger tweeted that Rodney will be the team’s closer. Rodney ranks just outside my top 30. While he will get save opportunities, I’d rather have a set-up man or middle reliever to help with strikeouts and ratio stats. I could find another reliever with Rodney’s ratios and a few less saves later in the draft.